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AFC Leopards celebrated their 60th anniversary in style with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Nzoia Sugar.
In a game bereft of chances, AFC Leopards overcame Nzoia Sugar 2-0 on their 60th anniversary in an FKF Premier League match played at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.
Arthur Gitego was again the hero of the day as he got on the end of a Victor Omune cross in the 82nd minute to send the fans at Nyayo Stadium into delirium before substitute Hassan Beja scored the second goal to leave Leopards fans in a frenzy during the club’s anniversary.
AFC Leopards' first big chance was missed by Owiti Jaffari in the 25th minute after Vincent Mahiga delivered an audacious left-footed cross towards the far post for the speedy winger to attack, but he could only hit it wide.
Leopards had yet another opportunity in the 42nd minute when Arthur Gitego dropped deep to get the ball and passed it to Cliff Nyakeya before attacking the box.
This allowed Nyakeya to then send a long diagonal over the top to Owiti on the other flank, but his attempted cutback back into the box was deflected wide for a corner amidst a penalty shout from Ingwe fans for a perceived handball.
They would win a freekick moments later but Nyakeya could not deliver it perfectly, leaving the score goalless heading into the break.
Nzoia Sugar became braver in the second half, and in the 60th minute a cross by Wekesa Elisa caused panic in the box after he had successfully managed to outmaneuver Kennedy Owino down the right, but it hit the side netting.
This prompted Nzoia Sugar into making a substitution, subbing on Jacob Onyango for Steve Otieno, while Trucha tried to make his own changes, taking off Boniface Kweyu and Cliff Nyakeya for Hassan Beja and Clifton Miheso in efforts to try and find the opening goal.
Just when Leopards thought they could not get a goal, Gitego would be the hero of the day as he got on the end of an exquisite Victor Omune cut back to spark celebrations.
Substitute Hassan Beja then added a second late into the game to effectively give AFC Leopards all three points and leapfrog them to seventh after 23 games.
Nzoia remain bottom of the league following the loss.
AFC Leopards XI: Levis Opiyo, Aziz Okaka, Vincent Mahiga, Ken Owino, Randi Bakari, Kayci Odhiambo , Boniface Kweyu, Victor Omune, Cliff Nyakeya, Jaffari Owiti, Arthur Gitego
AFC Leopards subs: Humphrey Katasi, Max Muchesia, Luke Namanda, Washington Munene, Emmanuel Unangu, Brian Wanyama, Clifton Miheso, Max Otieno, Hassan Beja, Kevin Kimani, Victor Otieno
Nzoia Sugar XI: Shiundu Fred , Elisha Wekesa, Haki Victor , Otieno Ronack, Ekeson Emanuel, Harun Thomas, Emmanuel Osoro, Joseph Wafula, David Simiyu, Daniel Musamali, Steve
Nzoia Sugar subs: Phanuel Bwire, Managi Benson, Ali Shariff, Shikokoks Naasoor, Titus Lusweti, Appa Edwin, Onyango Jacob, Maliaki Victor, Oyugi Vincent.
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