FKFPL Tactical analysis: How AFC Leopards ‘easily’ ended seven-year winless streak against sworn rivals Gor Mahia in May

How an AFC Leopards side facing numerous challenges on and off the pitch still managed to beat Gor Mahia for the first time since 2016 in the last Mashemeji derby

During former AFC Leopards coach Patrick Aussems’ post-match sentiments after overseeing their first win over Gor Mahia in the league since 2016, the Belgian tactician insisted his side had won 'easily.'

After a rather erratic first 30 minutes in which Leopards looked totally outplayed by Gor, who were excellent at pressing them high up the pitch to prevent them from building play from the back, they went ahead through Victor Omune's penalty after Sidney Ochieng brought Maxwell Otieno down inside the area.

Gor would equalise from a well-taken corner kick routine through Ingwe old boy Austin Odhiambo, but Leopards scored what proved to be the winning goal though Otieno just before half time, giving them their first league derby win in seven years.

In the build up to the match, Aussems had literally insisted he 'did not care' much about the Gor game, as his side were not in a title race and they were using it as a build-up for the FKF Cup semi-final clash against Kakamega Homeboyz.

“I used the game of last week, today and the Gor game to prepare for the semi-final,” Aussems told the press before the match. “So, Gor Mahia, Mathare, Murang’a I don’t care,” he added.

“We will work on something different for the players to be ready for the semi-final.” 

“The federation docked us points, they did not allow us to play in Kakamega against Homeboyz, we are now 14 or 15 points behind (in the league). We are not in the title race so our target now is to use those league games to prepare as well as possible for the semi-final.”

The challenges that engulfed AFC Leopards

Leopards were in the gutter in the days leading up to the win. First, they were going through the effects of being banned from making any signings in the transfer window. Second, their depth was diminished as they were suffering injuries to several key players.

Third, they had been docked four points by FKF after their fans caused unrest during their match against Kakamega Homeboyz at the Bukhungu stadium a couple of weeks earlier.

In protest, fans blatantly decided not to turn up for the rest of their league games, meaning Ingwe were at an all-time low.

Jonathan McKinsitry’s Gor Mahia came to this match knowing all three points were important if they were to stand a chance of piping Tusker in the title race. The race was the tightest it had ever been for 20 years, as they would end up winning the title by a solitary point after matchweek 34.

For Leopards, winning this game would have given them a platform to prepare for their last real chance at securing continental football had they won the FKF Cup. 

One thing Leopards did have going for them was the return of Kayci Odhiambo from injury. Odhiambo was integral to Aussems’ preference to build play from the back with his excellent ability to carry the ball forward and even give line-breaking passes from the back.

The match

Leopards lined up in a 4-2-3-1, while Gor Mahia lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Austin Odhiambo asked to play as a second striker behind the red hot Benson Omala.

For Ingwe, they got off to a rather erratic start. Gor Mahia pushed them high up because they knew Leopards loved to play out from the back under Aussems.

They had pressing traps set on Kayci Odhiambo, who for all his brilliance, had just returned for the first time in three months and was not match fit.

In the screenshots below, Kayci had possession but was pressed by Omala.

He easily evaded Omala’s pressure, but Austin was already on his toes, winning the ball back, but giving it straight to Washington Munene who passed it back to keeper Levis Opiyo.

Opiyo mishit the ball straight back at Austin, who fired a tame shot that forced the goalkeeper into making a save.

Leopards were erratic in front of an intimidating K’Ogalo crowd at Nyayo Stadium and that seemed to continue affecting them.

Gor Mahia forced another turnover in possession which left Peter Lwasa one-on-one with Opiyo, before the custodian fouled him to concede a penalty.

Omala’s resultant spotkick was hit wide, which injected some sense of fire into Ingwe, and in the 33rd minute, they would win a penalty of their own.

Kayci Odhiambo’s ball playing capabilities proved essential, as he gave one well-executed long ball over the top towards Maxwell Otieno, who was then fouled by Sylvester Owino.

Omune would then put Leopards into the lead virtually against the run of play, before Austin equalised from the penalty spot. Ingwe would then take the lead again through Otieno’s back post header after Gor failed to deal well with Mukangula’s inswing left-footed corner.

The Otieno goal proved to be the winner, and at full time, Ingwe fans who had boycotted the match, were in delirium, as they stormed into Nyayo Stadium marching and singing songs of celebration led by their infectious Isikuti instrumentalists and soloists.

“Last seven years are already a distant memory,” Aussems said after the match. “We can forget that now. This was an easy victory,” he added.

"It was a very good game. We tried to play good football. I was using the game to prepare for next week (against Kakamega Homeboyz), and of course, it was a bonus given the victory came (against Gor Mahia).

“We were disciplined and took advantage of our opportunities. I am also thankful for Azam TV for broadcasting a good game of Kenyan football and it can only be between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia.”

As both sides prepare to face each other again for the first time since that unforgettable day, with Azam TV coincidentally set to air that match again after agreeing a seven-year broadcast sponsorship deal, neutrals will surely be hoping for a similar spectacle.