GOtv Shield: AFC Leopards are 2013 Champions

#GOTV SHIELD 2013

FUTAA.COM WRITES:

AFC Leopards are the 2013 GOtv Shield Champions after seeing off their arch rivals Gor Mahia by a solitary goal in a thrilling match played on Sunday 17 November 2013 at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Former Thika United skipper PeterPinches Opiyo was responsible for the lone goal of the match in the 53rd minute after smashing home Noah Wafula's cross from the right wing after a dramatic run.

Both sides were brilliant in the first 45 minutes though AFC Leopards have enjoyed better possession in more than one occasion during the match so far.

Jerim blunder

Ingwe started on a high with Paul Were attacking in the third minute forcing Jerim Onyango to lose the ball but the keeper recovered to stop the resultant shot and send the ball out for a corner.

Gor Mahia responded through a brilliant run by Dan Sserunkuma who managed to penetrate theIngwe defence on several occasions though there was not ample time to shoot.

The match then turned into an end to end game into the 20th minute with veteran Charles Okwemba, Innovent Mutiso and Dan Sserunkuma all sending their shots wide after penetrating the defences.

Juma Abdalla should have opened the score charts through a freekick in the 28th minute but Jerim Onyango produced a brilliant reflex to stop the freekick mogul.

Wanga chance 

The best chance for AFC Leopards was in the 38th minute after Augustine Etemesi found Allan Wanga from the right wing but the latter's out-footer rolled inches wide under intense pressure.

Anthony Akumu should have netted in the dying minute for Gor Mahia but his glancing header from an Innocent Mutiso corner kick was stopped by Martin Musali who was quick to react and punch the ball away.

Gor Mahia returned for the second half with their intentions clear as Dan Sserunkuma’s low shot was easily collected by Martin Musalia.

AFC goal

This turned expensive for them as they left their defence exposed allowing Noah Wafula to make a speedy run through the right wing and set up Peter Opiyo who netted the lone goal in the 52^nd minute.

It was AFC Leopards however who had a chance to stretch their lead five minutes later with Wanga releasing Abdalla Juma but the latter’s shot is saved by Jerim.

Musa Mohammed then threatened the AFC defence in the 65^th minute tearing through to capitalize on a Musalia fumble but Etemesi was at hand to clear the danger.

Great subs

Noah Wafula again ran through the right wing in the 75^th minute but sent in a wayward shot as Wanga waited in the box.

Gor Mahia substitutes Edwin Lavatsa and Kevin Omondi were instrumental after coming on but neither managed to tear apart the tight AFC defence.

Another substitute Paul Kiongera came close in the dying minutes of the match but his acute angled shot hit the side net.

Oscar who replaced Noah Wafula in the match had a chance to stretch the lead in the 88^thminute after snatching the ball and running into the Gor defence but he produced a feeble shot that was easily collected by Jerim Onyango.

Sserunkuma who was heavily marked in the second half had a shot on target in the second minute of added time but the low shot was again collected by Musalia.

Set for continentals

Owing to the win, AFC Leopards have denied Gor Mahia a double this season after the latter won the Kenyan Premier League a fortnight ago.

Ingwe will now represent the country in the CAF Confederations Cup next year.

Follow the match updates by clicking on this link 

Written 17/11-13 17:10 by Wilson Mathu

A PEEP INTO GOR MAHIA’S WINNER’S BASH

GINI WASEKAO

R

emember last season. I do! Being a k’ogalo fan, the league chase was finely balanced on a needle point going into the final day of the season. Big men, big girls crying over football; that’s just the passion of football. Thika United did not bother to console Gor players, despite sharing the same sponsor.

But this week, we danced all over Thika streets- a  contrast to last season. With our large bands of supporters; the Green Army went wild with celebration. We beat Thika United 2-1 at their home ground; to remind them that last season was still fresh in our minds and we had come back for revenge.

As I write this; to many of us Gor Mahia fans, it has ceased to be a matter of speculation or conjecture. Let me repeat this so that our bitter “shemeji” rivals may hear us; “Gor Mahia has won the Kenya Premier League title.”

What we await is confirmation of this fact when the tournament officially ends. After 18 years of waiting, many K’ogalo fans still can’t believe that the team has clinched the trophy.

Anil Bakari, writing for The Standard on Monday reckons that, now, with the trophy firmly in their armpit, what Gor fans are waiting for is the final whistle and the party begins.

The celebrations are going to be big. Sorry in Luo-pean, stupendous is the right word for a team and fans that ooze swag. From the alleys of Kibera and Nyamsaria slums, to the streets of Nairobi, K’ogalo fans will party hard.

Let’s begin from the start. We are getting way ahead of ourselves here! In that last match will certainly be played as a formality, Gor fans will fill the stadium to the brim.

Dressed in green t-shirts and carrying all manner of paraphernalia that include vuvuzelas and omens, the staunch followers will warm the stadium stands with their cheers and jeers as Gor plays in the match; which soothsayers (mostly Ingwe fans) have predicted they will not win.

Nevertheless, the trophy will be presented to the club amid tears, hearty claps and salutes from K’ogalo Army.

The brigade will, thereafter pour onto the roads of Nairobi, led by the Major General Jaro Soja; blocking traffic as they blow vuvuzelas silly, with anti-riot police keeping guard.

Of course, the officers will not be there to cheer them on, but they will get some work and lots of work.

Let us give credit where it is due, some Gor fans in the heat of ecstasy will resort to harassing motorists and looting from shops as it always happens. But those will be a few goons, who must be punished.

Good Gor fans, sources have intimated, are planning what will turn out to be the biggest “winners bash” ever to be held in the sports circles.

The fans are currently dusting their Range Rover vehicles, Hammers and Mercedes Benzes; which will take part in the celebration fit for kings.

Shhhhhh! Word has it that they will also throw in a chopper and each player dressed in white suit; will at some point ride on a horse. It promises to be scintillating, but let us wait and see.

GINI WASEKAO!!!DONGE!!!

THIS PIECE WAS INSPIRED BY ANIL BAKARI; A WRITER WITH THE STANDARD NEWSPAER-FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME.

BY EMBUKANE VINCENT LIBOSSO