NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 1 – Michael Otieno’s first half goal saw AFC Leopards beat Vihiga Bullets 1-0 at the Nyayo National Stadium while Kenya Police FC showed their mettle with a 5-0 thrashing of Mathare United at the Kasarani Stadium in FKF Premier League midweek fixtures.
At Kasarani, still basking in their 3-0 thrashing of champions Tusker FC on the weekend, Police FC were in no mood to let their guard down, and they punished bottom side Mathare with a five-star thrashing.
A first half brace from Clifton Miheso with added goals from Elvis Rupia, Duke Abuya and Clinton Kinanga saw Police pick a massive victory that hoists them to fifth in the standings with their fourth win in five matches.
With their second five-goal thrashing in less than four days, Mathare remain rooted at the basement with just four points from a win and a draw.
Meanwhile at the Nyayo National Stadium, Leopards cemented their hold on seventh, also with their fourth win in five matches.
Leopards dominated the entire opening half and head coach Patrick Aussems would definitely be frustrated going to the break with only one goal to their cushion.
The tactician, just as he had promised, made sweeping changes to his squad to give some of his key players rest. Musa Oundo, skipper Peter Thiong’o, Robert Mudenyu and Brian Wanyama, all who started in the derby were on the bench while Ojo Olaniyi was rested all together.
It gave an opportunity for the likes of Collins Shivachi, Tedian Esilaba, Boniface Mukhekhe, Michael Otieno and Saad Musa an opportunity to start.
Vihiga, who only arrived in Nairobi last night put in their strongest squad.
However, they were stunned just five minutes into the game when Otieno broke the deadlock with a simple tap in from a Cliff Nyakeya cross.
On the other end two minutes later, Vihiga had a chance to strike an immediate response when a short backpass was intercepted by Nicholas Masamba, but his effort went wide despite beating keeper Levis Opiyo who was off his line.
Leopards continued dominating, but they lacked coordination in the final third. Otieno had a chance go wide from a Nyakeya cross in 13th minute before Jaffary Owiti struck wide after running into the box from the left.
Six minutes to the break, they had another chance when Saad was put through on goal by Nyakeya, but his shot was wide.
Vihiga were doing well to hold their own, but they couldn’t crack opportunities in the final third.
In the second half, Aussems made changes bringing in Thiong’o, Wanyama and Oundo to try spice things up.
Oundo almost created the second when he headed back Nyakeya’s deep cross to Otieno, but the latter headed his effort wide unmarked.
Otieno was set through once again by Nyakeya, but he couldn’t land his shot on target.
