Leopards turn up heat in the rain as Ulinzi sink further into relegation worries

AFC Leopards midfielder Kelly Madada celebrates his goal against Ulinzi Stars/HANDOUT 

A cold Nairobi drizzle set the stage for a gripping evening at Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday as AFC Leopards claimed a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Ulinzi Stars in a rescheduled SportPesa League clash.

The win saw Leopards close the gap behind Gor Mahia to four points while Ulinzi remained third from bottom on 32 points as their relegation fears intensified.

Gor lead the table with 65 points.

Leopards started brightly, with Victor Omune testing the Ulinzi goalkeeper twice inside the opening five minutes, while Kayci Odhiambo’s curling free-kick drifted narrowly wide.

“We knew we had to start fast in these conditions,” said Madada. “The pitch was slippery, but our focus was sharper than the rain.”

Ulinzi responded through Nyongesa, who forced a superb one-on-one save from Humphrey Katasi in the 20th minute. 

Moments later, AFC’s defence, marshalled by Emmanuel Lwangu, stood firm under sustained pressure.

“The goalkeeper gave us belief,” Madada reflected. “Katasi kept us alive when it mattered most.”

Leopards broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute when a loose ball inside the six-yard box fell kindly to Madada, who reacted quickest to smash home and send the bench into celebration.

“I just followed instinct,” Madada said. “When the ball dropped, I told myself — this is mine.”

Head coach Fred Ambani praised his side’s discipline heading into the break.

“It was not a perfect half, but it was a disciplined one,” Ambani said. “We suffered, yes, but we suffered together.”

Ulinzi pushed forward after the restart, with Staphod and Nyongesa combining dangerously, but Leopards remained solid at the back. 

Tyson Otieno nearly doubled the lead in the 70th minute before the goalkeeper denied him.

“Football is about patience,” Madada said. “We waited for our moment, and we took it.”

That decisive moment arrived in the 81st minute when Lwangu rose highest to head home Leopards’ second goal and effectively end Ulinzi’s hopes of a comeback.

“We had to kill the game,” Madada added. “Lwangu’s goal was the dagger.”

Ambani applauded his team’s maturity after the final whistle.

“This is the spirit of champions,” he stated. “We are not just chasing points — we are chasing identity.”

Ulinzi coach Mulinge Ndeto admitted his side paid the price for failing to convert their chances.

“We created chances but failed to finish,” Ndeto said. “That is what separates survival from danger. The effort is there, but effort alone does not save you in this league.”

Madada nearly grabbed a third goal after weaving through defenders, only to see his effort saved.

“I wanted the hat-trick,” Madada smiled. “But sometimes football only gives you what it wants to give.”

Elsewhere, Mara Sugar stunned Shabana 1-0 at Awendo Green Stadium after substitute Daniel Wafula struck a dramatic winner in stoppage time to end the Glamour Boys’ three-match unbeaten run.