Here we go again. AFC Leopards lost another important match against Gor Mahia. Before the match it was Leopards doing all the talking. They spewed threats, warnings and insults and it was hard to see how they could fail to back it up on the field of play. In the end they lost the match and up in smoke went their only chance of silverware since ... (we need the help of a historian here. It has been so long!) Gor Mahia trophy cabinet is breaking under the weight of trophies and the Leopards are green with envy.
It must have been a bitter pill to swallow for Leopards. Going into the match, AFC Leopards were the better side. They play really good football, I must admit. But, as it has been the case all too often, they lost.... again. It was hard to watch and I am not even a Leopard's fan. It must have been heart-wrenching for their fans. This was their chance to finally win a trophy and beat Gor Mahia in the process. In the end they did neither. It must have been hard to take.
Beaten: AFC Leopards players celebrating a goal in a past match
It's impossible not to feel some sympathy for the Leopards. They have been on the receiving end of some heavy chastening from Gor Mahia of late. They seem to be able to beat just about anybody till Gor Mahia shows up. Yesterday (July 4th, 2021) was no exception. They played well, created all the chances but just couldn't get that goal. One goal could have been enough but just could'nt get it. The referee's decisions didn't help either. A heavy lunge by Shakava on Elvis Rupia when the latter was clear on goal should have been punished but it wasn't. It was in the box, it was late and from behind, and he (Shakava) was the last man! The referee shook his excuse of a head and waved it away.
The game ended in a stalemate and went into penalties. Let's face it, AFC Leopards aren't the best when it comes to Penalties. It is something they have to improve on. We all remember Wvyone Isuza's infamous penalty misses for Ingwe against Gor Mahia in 2018. Wvyone Isuza has since moved on to "greener pastures" but Ingwe hasn't. In three seasons Ingwe has yet to break their duck (or should I say "their Chicken?") agaisnt Gor Mahia. It is a huge monkey on their backs and if they are to win anything in future, it has to go.
On a positive note, AFC Leopards did well. They should be proud of themselves. They held the Kenya Premier League defending champions for over 120 minutes and were only undone at the penalty kicks. Maybe - just maybe - they'll do better next time they meet.
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