AFC Leopards' suffering continues as they get fried by Bidco United

©Leopards

FKFPL AFC Leopards' suffering continues as they get fried by Bidco United

Festus Chuma 17:32 - 10.12.2023

Ingwe faced Bidco United in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League, searching for a crucial victory after a winless streak.

AFC Leopards huffing and puffing in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League continues to persist as they dropped points once again, this time to Bidco United  crumbling to a 2-1 defeat at the SportPesa Arena in Murang’a on Sunday afternoon.

Ingwe have now dropped eleven points in the league in a space of five weeks – drawing four matches and losing to Nairobi City Stars and Bidco.

Tomas Trucha and his side last tasted a league victory on 29 October when they beat Nzoia Sugar 1-0.

Bidco pushed for an early goal in order to unsettle the Ingwe's defense which was marshaled by the experienced Randy Bakari.

Leopards had their first shot in anger, with Victor Otieno sending an effort across the face of goal in the 10th minute, but the visitors soon needed their left-back Luke Namanda to make a crucial defensive play as Peter Nzuki looked to take advantage of goalkeeper Humphrey Katasi having come too far off his line.

The teams then traded off-target long-range shots, before the hosts needed John Otieno to make two fine saves in the latter stages of the first half – first the ‘keeper turned away an effort from the in-form Boniface Munyendo in the 27th minute, and then he was on hand to deny Mousa Oundo  in the 33rd.

The two teams attacked each other as they searched for the opening goal, but they could not find the back of the net in the first-half.

As a result, the score was 0-0 during the halftime break with  AFC Leopards  under pressure to secure a win in order to move further away from the relegation zone.

Bidco created a better chance in the second half, as a slick move opened space for Sheriff Musa to shoot on target, but his effort was comfortably handled by Humphrey Katasi. 

At the 58th minute, it was Bidco's turn to open up their opponent's defense, and they were rewarded when Chris Opondo executed a very clever reverse pass to Sheriff Musa, who made sure the entire defense was on the floor before scoring.

Two minutes later, Bidco extended their lead when Musa picked up the ball on the wing, drove past a Leopards defender in the box, and delivered a cutback that resulted in an own goal as it went past the custodian. 

Leopards had to make a double change, sending out Victor Otieno and Munyendo Bonface in exchange for Victor Omune and Jaffari Awiti.

The changes paid off almost immediately as Omune pulled one back for AFC Leopards in the 72nd minute, making it 2-1.

Two minutes later, more changes were made by Leopards' coach Trucha, bringing in Cliff Nyakeya and Maxwell Otieno to replace Brian Yakhama and Beja Hassan, respectively.

Bidco’s  twice had close shaves in shooting wide of the mark, before he was one of the players subbed out in a double change which saw Said Tsuma and Samuel Ndungu introduced. 

The play was halted for nearly ten minutes after AFC Leopards caused a disruption alleging poor officiating. During this period Bidco was reduced to ten men when Michael Bodo was sent off for a second bookable offense.

When it resumed, Leopards almost leveled the matters via Awiti who got on the end of a fine cross from Lwangu and powered a header on target, but John Otieno came up with another good save to keep Bidco ahead.

That proved to be the last clear chance of the match, with Leopards left frustrated at their inability to carve out any further attacking inroads.

How they lined up:

Bidco United;  John Otieno, Francis  Oduor, Peter Nzuki, Thomas Wainaina, David Kalama,  Michael Bodo, Jacob Onyango, Martin Nderitu, Shariff Musa, Ezekiel Okare, Chris Opondo

 AFC Leopards: Humphrey Katasi, Luke Namanda, Randy Bakari, Emmanuel Lwangu, Vincent Mahiga, Victor Otieno, Mousa Oundo, Boniface Kweu, Beja Hassan, Clifton Miheso, Brian Yakhama