Mukangula's strike guides AFC Leopards to FKF Cup third place at Ulinzi Stars' expense

© AFC Leopards

FOOTBALL Mukangula's strike guides AFC Leopards to FKF Cup third place at Ulinzi Stars' expense

Mark Kinyanjui 14:00 - 01.07.2023

Mukangula's fluke strike in the 66th minute was enough to gift AFC Leopards third place and Ksh750,000 for participating in this season's Mozzart Bet Cup

AFC Leopards midfielder Eugene Mukangula's strike was enough as Ingwe overcame Ulinzi Stars 1-0 in their FKF Cup third-place play-off match played at the Kasarani Stadium on Saturday.

The game was fairly even in the first half, with both sides creating a series of fouls that prevented the game from getting into any sort of meaningful rhythm.

The Soldiers started brightly and should have gone ahead after a neat exchange of passes between Boniface Muchiri and Enosh Ochieng ended up in Collins Shivachi forcing a corner kick.

The only real chance for AFC Leopards came in the 19th minute when Jaffari Owiti initiated a move when he glided with the ball from the left half-space having tucked inside, before passing the ball to Eugene Mukangula who then spread the ball wide to Cliff Nyakeya, but the Kenyan international’s attempted cross towards skipper Victor Omune was deflected away for a corner.

Leopards, who have created a reputation for being a side that plays out from the back, struggled to give penetrative passes from defense, with Tedian Esilaba’s passes in particular, being wayward.

This allowed Ulinzi to constantly turn over the ball and try to create goal-scoring chances. 

In the second half, Ulinzi started the better of the two teams and should have gone ahead in the 60th minute when Levis Opiyo was forced into making a brilliant save after Enosh Ochieng initially shot towards Opiyo who made an excellent first save before following up Elvis Nandwa’s attempt.

Leopards went ahead in the 66th minute against the run of play when Mukangula scored a fluke goal, after appearing to initially cross it with his left foot from the left flank, much to the shock of Ulinzi Stars fans.

In the end, Leopards were able to hold on to their lead, which gave them the much-needed victory to at least give them something to smile about following a rather unforgettable season for all the wrong reasons.

The win for Ingwe now means they take home Ksh750,000  to help them prepare for next season.

AFC Leopards line up:Levis Opiyo,Robert Mudenyu,Collins Shivachi,Tedian Esilaba, Washington Munene,Musa Oundo,Cliff Nyakeya,Eugine Mukangula (Boniface Mukhekhe 87’) ,Victor Omune(Moses Lukhumwa 75’),Maxwell Otieno, Jaffari Owiti.

Ulinzi Stars line up: James Saruni,Swaleh Chacha,Bonaventure Muchika,Glen Wafula (Boniface Andayi 70’),Shannel Makwata,Boniface Ongoma,Clinton Omondi (Elly Saenyi 80’),Kevin Thairu (Lucas Maina 70’),Enosh Ochieng,Elvis Nandwa (Masita Masuta 70’), Enosh Ochieng (Daniel Waweru 80’)