AFC Leopards booked a place in the Sportpesa shield quarters following a hard fought win over Mwatate United in a round of 16 fixture played on Wednesday afternoon at the MISC Kasarani. Coach Rodolfo Zapata made five changes to the squad that lost to Gor Mahia over the weekend, Captain Duncan Otieno who returned to the squad after missing the Gor Mahia game due to suspension, youthful fullback Yusuf Mainge, Marcus Abwao, Clyde Senaji, and Ugandan Winger Baker Lukooya. Mwatate United, which play in the third division went ahead after five minutes following a well taken shot by forward Wanyonyi Manasseh to beat goal keeper Owade.
The side held on to the slim lead until the break. In the second half the coach brought in Mukangula and Whyvonne Isuza for Clyde Senaji and Marcus Abwao respectively and the duo brought in some firepower. Eugene Mukangula made sure his presence on the pitch is felt with an equalizer in the 47th minute. leopards kept pressing on for the winner and it was until the 93rd minute that forward Ezekiel Odera made sure the match doesn’t end in sudden death penalties, his late strike proving to be the difference. AFC Leopards will now face National Super League side Kenya police in the cup quarters.
AFC Leopards Starting XI: Owade Ezekiel (GK), Mainge Yusuf, Abwao Marcus, Kibwage Michael, Otieno Duncan, Tsuma Said, Nabwire Marvin, Senaji Clyde, Odera Ezekiel, Lukooya Baker, Owiti Jeffary Subs: Adira Jairus (GK), Sikhayi Dennis, Abdalla Salim, Majid Victor, Isuza Whyvonne, Oburu Vincent, Mukangula Eugene
