Leopards save face with third spot

AFC Leopards defender Christopher Oruchum passes the ball under pressure from Ulinzi Stars midfielder Daniel Waweru during their third place playoff SportPesa Shield match at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on October 20. PHOTO | VINCENT OPIYO |

What you need to know:

  • Custodian Ezekiel Owade was the hero for Ingwe as he parried Abdallah Hamisi’s sudden death penalty to ensure his side claimed the Sh750,000 prize money. Both sides had settled for a 1-1 draw in regulation time

  • Bernard Ongoma shot Ulinzi ahead on 73 minutes from the spot but Eugene Mukangula levelled five minutes to time sending the game direct to the lottery as per tournament regulations

  • Ulinzi go home with Sh500,000 with Kariobangi Sharks and Sofapaka battling for Sh2 million in the final due to kick-off at 3.15pm at the same venue

Holders AFC Leopards made up for their semi-final slip at the hands of Sofapaka by edging Ulinzi Stars 5-4 on post match penalties in the SportPesa Shield third-place playoff at the Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), Kasarani on Saturday.

Custodian Ezekiel Owade was the hero for Ingwe as he parried Abdallah Hamisi’s sudden death penalty to ensure his side claimed the Sh750,000 prize money. Both sides had settled for a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Bernard Ongoma shot Ulinzi ahead on 73 minutes from the spot but Eugene Mukangula levelled five minutes to time sending the game direct to the lottery as per tournament regulations.

On penalties, Owade converted his past James Saruni before saving Daniel Waweru’s kick. Saruni composed himself to keep out Isaac Oduro’s spot kick and restore parity.

AFC Leopards goalkeeper Ezekiel Owade makes a save in the post match shootout during their third place playoff SportPesa Shield match against Ulinzi Stars at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on October 20. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

George Omondi, Oliver Ruto and Enosh Ochieng' scored for the Soldiers while the men in blue had Mukangula, Abdallah Salim and Victor Majid netting theirs for a 4-4 score line before the shoot out went into sudden death.

Whyvonne Isuza converted for Leopards’s sixth penalty before Owade save Hamisi's shot.

Ulinzi go home with Sh500,000 with Kariobangi Sharks and Sofapaka battling for Sh2 million in the final due to kick-off at 3.15pm at the same venue.

Former Leopards midfielder Ongoma sent Owade the wrong way from 12 yards after Elvis Nandwa was tripped inside the box by Ghanaian import Oduro on the 69th minute.

AFC Leopards winger Eugene Mukangula celebrates his goal with Saad Musa (left) and Dennis Sikhayi (right) during their third place play-off SportPesa Shield match against Ulinzi Stars at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on October 20, 2019. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Leopards players protested the call forcing referee Dickens Mimisa to brandish a yellow card to Majid.

The Soldiers had missed a chance to take the lead on 59 minutes through Omar Boraafya whose attempt was blocked by onrushing Owade after being played clean through on goal.

Nandwa had sent his header to the top of the roof net from an Oliver Ruto long throw in a minute earlier.

Dennis Sikhayi returned to the starting line-up after a long spell out with an injury but limped out in the final three minutes of added time.