The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) 2018 season title decider match pitting arch-rivals Gor Mahia FC and AFC Leopards was a mouth-watering one. K’Ogalo humiliated their “Shemejis” by beating them 2-0, the second time this season after the first leg match ended 2-1 in favour of the reigning champions.
In the last eight Mashemeji derbies(2015-2018 league matches), Gor have dominated – pulling five wins and only going down once (0-1 in 2016) with two games ending in one all draws.
Gor have scored 13 goals and conceded just 4 goals against AFC Leopards.
But why is Ingwe so physical in a game of soccer even with some favours from match officials and yet they can’t deliver? If the first leg KPL encounter is something to be placed in history books, then it will be remembered as the game AFC Leopard played with ruthlessness never seen before – thanks to the centre ref who had some soft spot for the home team (AFC).
First leg
In the First Leg match, Jacques Tuyisenge had to leave the field after sustaining injuries, Ephrem Guikan was fouled as many times as the number of points difference between us and Ingwe, Francis Kahata’s legs were almost amputated by the numerous agricultural tackles, Francis Mustafa almost got his neck “chopped-off” as if they were slaughtering a chicken and worse, was Samuel Onyango who was a victim of a very dangerous tackle – a career-threatening tackle from Ingwe wrestling team.
The former K’Ogalo leftback Godfrey Walusimbi almost cried – wondering whether the soccer game was auto-converted to a wrestling competition.
But with the beautiful style of K’Ogalo’s game, they convincingly became victorious, much thanks to the Kerr-Zico team on the technical bench with zealous players, who by the time I write this, are the best in continental football.
The second leg against Ingwe
Ingwe’s short-term overconfidence is dangerous to football. They must understand the game is well played when they showcase their talent on the field of soccer.
Maybe Kerr realized their age-mates were in the blue skies, but ‘Wakulima’ are always no-nonsense fellows. They don’t have mercy on anyone, never leave any stone unturned, play around with them at your peril.
To Ingwe fans, they must deal with their emotions, football is not about throwing projectiles onto the pitch, football is a game to be enjoyed for heaven’s sake! K’Ogalo followers are fed up with such barbaric behaviour of executing anger on dead objects during football encounters with “former” arch rivals – AFC Leopards.
For now, we are getting bored meeting Ingwe because our match, on and off the pitch, is beyond their standard.
I hope we will not have another encounter with the Leopards this year because that will mean another boring outing.
We are tired of always whitewashing them on the pitch.
~K’Ogalo talk~
By Jared Nyanjom.
