Gor Mahia 0-1 AFC Leopards
Peter ‘Pinches’ Opiyo’s solitary strike was all AFC Leopards needed to beat rivals Gor Mahia FC in the finals of the Go TV Shield Cup played at Nyao stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The ex-Thika United skipper who is shortlisted for the KPL midfielder of the year award slotted home the only goal of the game in the 53rd minute following a brilliant cross by Noah Wafula.
Both sides created lots of opportunities but were lethargic in front of goal. On more than one occasion, Uganda Cranes striker Daniel ‘Mzee’ Sserunkuma was denied by good goal keeping thanks to Ingwe goalie Martin Musalia who contained whatever was thrown at him.
In his post match interview, AFC Leopards Coach James Nandwa said it was sweet revenge for the Cecafa Challenge Cup defeat Harambee Stars suffered against Bobby Williamson’s Cranes in December last year. Nandwa was in charge of the Kenyan national football team then.
“It is a sweet revenge for me personally because I met Bobby (Williamson) in the CECAFA finals in Uganda and he beat me 2-1, from then I knew his tactics and the way he likes playing,” he told futaa.com in a one on one amidst praising his boys for having played according to the game plan.
“We played well and according to instructions, my boys played as per we had planned, they were behind the ball and attacking gradually because we knew if we do not then Gor Mahia with the good strikers they have like Sserunkuma (Dan), they could have put us on toes.”
On the other hand, Gor Mahia skipper Jerim Onyango congratulated AFC Leopards but rued missed opportunities that could have won them the trophy.
“I congratulate AFC (Leopards) for carrying the day”, he told futaa.com
“As a team we played well its only that we failed to convert our chances with Ingwe utilizing theirs all in all we shift our focus to matters ahead after a successful 2013 it’s now time we embark on our preparations for 2014.”