AFC Leopards beat Kariobangi Sharks 2-0 to reclaim GOtv Shield title

GOTV 2017 AFC's Victor Majid (left) and Mathew Tayo of Kariobangi Sharks during fight for GOTV Tournament at Kasarani Stadium on Oct 20, 2017. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Matano's side dominated the match to sink Kariobangi Sharks in final.

Abdallah Salim and Vincent Oburu scored a goal each as AFC Leopards reclaimed the GOtv Shield after beating Kariobangi Sharks 2-0 in Friday's final at Kasarani Stadium.

Apart from walking away with Sh2M in prize money, Leopards who last won the domestic cup in 2013, will represent the country in next year's CAF Confederation Cup.

For finishing second, Sharks pocketed Sh 1.5M as third place play-off winners SoNy Sugar walked away with Sh 750,000.

"I feel great to have scored in the final. It is even sweeter because they had beaten us in the league," a jubilant Oburu told The Standard Sports.

"I am very happy to score my first goal for AFC Leopards when it matters most. Focus now shifts to the continental competition. We need to prepare adequately to perform well in the Confederations Cup," added Salim.

Leopards started the brighter side with Raymond Omondi and Aziz Okaka squandering two golden opportunities in the opening ten minutes.

But after a quarter an hour of persistence and restricting Sharks in their own half, Leopards managed to break the deadlock in the 18th minute when Abdalla Salim perfectly timed Duncan Otieno's corner-kick, outjumped his markers to plant a thumping header past Sharks goalkeeper Jeff Oyemba.

Mathews Tayo then came within inches of drawing level for Sharks, but his shot at the edge of the box bounced off the target before AFC custodian Gabriel Andika came off his line, pressurised Masoud Juma to miskick his shot.

Masoud's threat was just after Dennis Sikhayi's attempt on the opposite end had been brilliantly blocked by an opposing defender.

Sharks had another opportunity to score from a quickly taken free by Tayo in the 37th minute but Patillah Omoto's shot went wide before in-decision from defender Pascal Ogweno saw him waste a chance in the area.
Three minutes into the second half, Otieno made a perfect clearance stopping Michael Kamau's killer pass as Sharks intensified their search for an equaliser.
However, the match was temporarily stopped for over five minutes after fracas involving AFC stewards and a Sharks official behind Leopards' goal post.
After normalcy was restored, Sharks keeper denied the duo of Whvonne Isuzza and Oburu before Omoto's well-curved free kick hit the cross bar.
In the 70th minute, Ogweno was lucky not to have deflected Oburu's ferocious effort into his own net before Sharks responded immediately with Duke Abuya's close range header tipped over the bar by Andika.
Sharks keeper would pull off a fine save from substitute Alexis Kitenge on a one-on-situation before  Sven Yidah's attempt missed target by inches.
Oburu then put the game beyond Sharks reach in the 80th minute when he reacted fast to pounce on Aziz's rebound in the box to slot the ball home.
In an earlier match at the same venue, Benjamin Mosha scored a sensational goal as Sony Sugar edged out Vihiga United 2-1 in a third place play-off.
Captain Amos Kigida had given the National Super League side a slim 1-0 first lead only for Ugandan import to restore parity in the 57th minute.
With less than 13 minutes to go, Mosha unleashed a screamer that flew past a hapless Vihiga goalkeeper Franklin Mwendwa.