Julius Masaba The Hero as AFC Leopards Sink Gor Mahia to Win 98th Mashemeji Derby

AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani maintained his unbeaten run against Gor Mahia as he guided his team to victory in the 98th Mashemeji Derby at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.

While Gor Mahia were the host team, it was Leopards and Ambani celebrating victory and bragging rights, after Julius Masaba’s 25th minute goal gave them a priceless win.

The game lived up to the billing in terms of the tackles that were flying from both sides but Leopards edged it as Gor Mahia looked subdued and frustrated.

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Gor Mahia had the first chance when Shariff Musa connected well with a good ball after a corner but his effort hit Randi Bakari as it went out.

That was in the 21st minute and four minutes later, Ingwe were celebrating a goal. A neat exchange of passes on the right side of Leopards attack saw the ball fall to Tyson Otieno in space outside the box and the former Kenya Police man unleashed a shot towards goal.

Gor Mahia goalkeeper Byrne Omondi punched it away but the ball fell kindly to an unmarked Masaba in the box who had the easy job of tapping it home to break the deadlock.

Leopards should have doubled their advantage on the stroke of halftime when James Kinyanjui brought in a delicious cross which Victor Omune failed to connect well with while in space in the box.

It was a poor first half for Gor Mahia, who had no shot on target, as Leopards had two. After the break, Leopards frustrated their opponents with a low defensive block, forcing them into long-range efforts, first from Austin Odhiambo and then another effort from Musa.

Past the hour mark, Ambani decided to make defensive substitutions to protect his team’s lead with Ken Owino coming in for Omune but Leopards were not under any major threat from the off-colour Gor Mahia.

Musa had a glorious opportunity to equalise in stoppage time but saw his well-taken effort go just over Humphrey Katasi’s goal.

Ingwe stayed resolute and collected all three points which lifts them to sixth place on the FKF Premier League table with 17 points from 10 games, two behind Gor Mahia, who have now lost back-to-back games.