• Leopards head coach Patrick Aussems was over the moon after his charges edged Gor 2-1 to reclaim Mashemeji derby bragging rights.
• “The outcome gives us a lot of confidence heading into our FKF semifinals clash against Kakamega Homeboyz. Our target is to win the Cup and book a continental berth next season,” he added.
Image: HANDOUT
President William Ruto has promised to help revive Kenyan football to the desired standards.
The President made the remarks after attending an engrossing Mashemeji derby thriller between Kenyan Premier League behemoths Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.
“We want to ensure that we host the next Afcon and if possible clinch the title. I’ll continue to engage with CS Ababu (Namwamba) to ensure that we prepare the ground adequately for a successful bid and work on the infrastructure, including raising our fields to the required standards,” Ruto said.
“I’ve enjoyed this game and I do not have doubt in my mind that enormous talent abounds in the country. We can achieve international glory if we give our players the support they need to excel,” Ruto stated.
The president gifted the two clubs Sh1m each after the action-packed encounter that was also graced by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Namwamba and a host of other dignitaries.
Leopards head coach Patrick Aussems was over the moon after his charges edged Gor 2-1 to reclaim Mashemeji derby bragging rights.
Goals from Victor Omune and Maxwell Ochieng were enough to hand Leopards their first win against their archrivals in seven years.
“I’m happy with the win. We played some good football today and every team member deserves a pat on the back,” Aussems said.
“The outcome gives us a lot of confidence heading into our FKF semifinals clash against Kakamega Homeboyz. Our target is to win the Cup and book a continental berth next season,” he added.
A visibly dejected Gor Mahia head coach Jonathan McKinistry expressed concern about the dwindling form of his players, who appeared lethargic for the better part of the match.
“We missed a penalty and everything seemed to have fallen apart thereafter. We could have easily cruised to victory if we had made good use of the numerous chances we created,” McKinistry observed.
“The outcome makes our work a little bit difficult in the title contention but we hope to bounce back strongly. There is only a one-point gap between us and Tusker and we still stand a good chance to clinch the title,” he said.
Benson Omalla squandered a golden opportunity to fire Gor into the lead on the half-hour mark when he drove his penalty kick wide despite sending Leopards’ keeper Levis Opiyo the wrong way.
But when Omune had a similar chance after Sylvester Onyango sent Maxwell Otieno tumbling in the area in the 39th minute, he punished Gor dearly.
But Leopard’s celebration was cut short in the 42nd minute when Austin Odhiambo rose above his markers to head in Dennis Ng’ang’a’s delivery from a corner kick.
Otieno then capitalised on a concentration lapse in the Gor defence to fire Leopards back into the lead after nodding in Eugene Mukangula’s corner kick in the 43rd minute.
The outcome leaves Gor second on the log with 63 points, one adrift of defending champions Tusker. On the other hand, Leopards are now seventh with 45 points.
Elsewhere, Nzoia Sugar kept their title hopes alive with a convincing 2-0 win over Kakamega Homeboyz at Sudi Stadium in Bungoma. The millers are now third on the log with 60 points while Homeboyz are ninth with 42.