Eliud Lokuwam wheels away in celebrating after scoring Posta Rangers’ winner against Sofapaka during a Kenyan Premier League clash at the Narok Stadium on August 30, 2019. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 8 – Sammy Odero’s goal at the stroke of full time saw Posta Rangers beat AFC Leopards 2-1 at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos as the mailmen bounced back to winning ways from last weekend’s loss to Ulinzi Stars.
The game looked to be heading from a 1-1 draw after John Mark Makwatta’s Panenka penalty had cancelled out Francis Nambute’s goal, but the mailmen left the best for last with Odero’s well struck shot earning the maximum points at home.
AFC’s interim coach Anthony Kimani had hoped that his side would keep on with his winning start having beaten Zoo Kericho 4-1 last weekend, but at the end of the 90 minutes, it was Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo who left smiling with Posta’s second ever win over Ingwe.
The victory sees Posta move to 10th in the standings while AFC drop to seventh.
Both sides were forced to changes in the opening quarter hour of the game, AFC being first to change with Clyde Senaji limping out after just three minutes after picking up a hip injury while Posta were forced to replace Peter Ng’anga with Nambute after 14 minutes.
Just like the early kick off between KCB and Sofapaka, the movement of the ball and the players was greatly hampered by a soggy pitch, but still, the two sides kept their attacking feet on.
AFC had the first two chances of the game, first Austin Otieno’s shot from range flying straight to the keeper while on the half hour mark, Eugene Mukangula struck the ball on the half turn inches over off a Washington Munene cross.
Six minutes later, Munene was in action on the other end, making a decisive clearance to hit away Nambute’s cutback after he skillfully skipped beyond the keeper on the left.
Posta had another chance four minutes to the break when former Ingwe man Marcelus Ingotsi struck over with space and time ahead of him after Gaerson Likonoh’s cross was poorly defended.
Boniface Mukhekhe had an even better chance for AFC at the stroke of halftime after Suleiman Ngotho’s defensive header fell kindly on his path, but the winger’s stinging shot was kept out by Adira’s feet.
The second half was off to a frantic start and Posta went into the lead in the 48th minute when Nambute put in a cool finish from inside the box off a good lay up from Likonoh on the left.
But, Ingwe drew level three minutes on the turn, Makwatta converting from the spot after Mukhekhe was brought down by the slightest of touches from Ngotho.
Both sides threw their efforts for a second goal with new signing Ezekiel Okare’s shot from inside the area after a good sweeping move by Posta went over while Ngotho’s header off a Michael Apudo corner in the 63rd minute was cleared off the line by Munene.
