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Arthur Gitego's brace and birthday boy Kayci Odhiambo's man-of-the-match performance helps AFC Leopards overcome early Compel opener to book FKF Cup semi final against Kenya Police.
AFC Leopards bounced from behind to overcome spirited Compel FC 3-1 in an FKF Cup quarter final clash that took place at the Dandora Stadium on Sunday, April 8.
A goal by Kayci Odhiambo and a brace by Arthur Gitego was enough to give them the victory, and their thirst for continental qualification itches closer to being quenched now, although they will face a tough Kenya Police in the semis.
AFC Leopards were shocked as Compel would take the lead just moments after the game had literally started through Phillip Simiyu when he unleashed a ferocious left–footed shot into the back of the net to send the visiting fans into frenzy, replicating the one he scored against Mara Sugar.
This left Leopards shell shocked and with a lot of work to do to bounce back, and they resorted to recycling the ball on multiple occasions and retaining it in order to try and find a leveler.
Leopards created their first good opportunity in the 18th minute after a swift move on the break resulted in Randy Bakari sending a dangerous cross from the right wing towards striker Arthur Gitego, forcing the Compel defence into action.
Owiti found himself with another good opportunity in the 25th minute, but his cross was wayward and could not find the target, and there was plenty of work to do to equalise.
Eventually, their pressure would bear fruit as Kayci Odhiambo would head in his second goal in as many FKF Cup matches for Leopards when he got on the end of Clifton Miheso’s corner kick to level the score.
The game would then become tight with both sides struggling to create any real inroads in the other’s half, although Compel failed to capilatise on another turnover of possession by AFC Leopards after Kennedy Odhiambo was caught out while trying to play out from the back.
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Leopards’ excellent set piece execution counter in their favor again, and Arthur Gitego would put them into the lead in the 45th minute after slotting Randy Bakari’s flick on from Miheso’s left-footed delivery home, to take the lead heading into the break.
Leopards continued to pile on the pressure after the break and should have made it three in the 50th minute when Owiti found Miheso with another good cutback, but the captain lacked the requisite composure to complete his dinner.
Compel had their own chance to equalise, and Simiyu nearly repeated his first half heroics when he volleyed a parry by Leopards keeper Humphrey Katasi wide after a good set piece delivery by the third-tier outfit.
Compel missed another good chance moments later, Katasi was called to action again when he had to sweep the ball off Mohammed Barasa when through on goal, before the ball landed on the feet of Leonard Macheso who hit the ball just wide.
Leopards would however make it three with Gitego scoring his second of the day. From a corner kick, Miheso received the ball before finding Owiti on the right. The speedy winger found Hassan Beja infield, before the Kenya U20 star found his Rwandese teammate on the left, before he drilled a right footed shot into the bottom of the net.
In the end, the goals would be enough to give them the well deserved victory. Leopards will resume league action when they face Bandari in their next game.
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