NAIROBI, Kenya, October 30- In form striker, Allan Wanga, sunk home an 80th minute spot-kick as AFC Leopards reclaimed second spot in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) at the expense of relegation-threatened Sony Sugar.
The game that stoked a storm when it was shifted from Awendo to Nakuru the finally Nairobi’s City Stadium by the KPL was ironically, settled by a contentious penalty.
Sony defender, Joseph Atuta, was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box from a Wanga cross seeking his strike parter, Paul Were although it appeared like it bounced into his arm.
Referee Sylvester Kirwa pointed to the spot and Wanga duly outfoxed Wycliffe Kasaya in the Sony goal for the all important strike.
Were almost added the second at the death in when he blasted wide from inside the box with Kasaya to beat.
A tepid first half that ended goalless ushered in a livelier second and Sony’s top marksman, Marwa Chamberi was left scratching his head when he failed to beat Martin Musalia in the Ingwe goal when clean through in the 56th.
“I’m happy with the win and my target still remains to finish second but my players will be fatigued when they travel to Mombasa to face Bandari over the weekend,” Leopards stand-in coach, James Nandwa, said post-match.
The defeat leaves Sony still only a point above Kakamega Homeboyz (26) who occupy the last relegation place to open up the battle for the team that will join almost doomed Karuturi Sport in the first division.
Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno’s sugar millers have their postponed clash against Chemelil scheduled for November 6 at hand over Homeboyz.
“I blame the referee for poor officiating. That penalty was not worth since he did not handle the ball intentionally. The change of venue from Awendo affected my game plan but we have a good chance to remain in the league with three games left,” he added.
At the top end of the table, victory lifted Ingwe to 47, a point above Sofapaka to become the closest challengers to new champions, Gor Mahia (59) with two games left to play.