While Ingwe went into the fixture having lost their previous assignment 1-0 against KCB, Shabana were beaming with confidence following their 1-0 away win against Mathare United.
Both sides went into the fixture sitting next to each other on the Premier League log. AFC Leopards were second while Shabana were third. Shabana were also in a superb run of eight matches without defeat in the top-flight.
AFC Leopards established a 2-1 lead. Samuel Semo and Tyson Otieno found the net in the first half to put coach Fred Ambani’s side ahead. However, Shabana, who kept working hard, reduced the deficit courtesy of Wycliffe Awiko.
But before Shabana could level the scores, AFC Leopards responded to make it 3-1. Samuel Ssenyonjo rounded off Shabana defenders to score the third, a goal which sparked a fight between Shabana and AFC Leopards fans.
The game was stopped for a few minutes as police lobbed tear gas canisters into the crowd. However, AFC Leopards chairman Boniface Ambani helped to calm the situation as he walked through the pitch to talk to the players.
When play resumed, Ingwe continued to dominate and they grabbed their fourth when Kayci Odhiambo scored from a long-range effort. He then wrapped up the win after scoring the fifth goal for AFC Leopards.
What did AFC and Shabana coaches say?
AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani remained cautious despite remaining in contention for the title, which they last won 29 years ago.
“A step at a time,” Ambani told Flashscore. “We want to take it a game at a time; we don’t want to start thinking about the title yet.
“We still have a lot of matches to play. Remember, the league is a marathon, our focus is to keep the momentum going and make sure we win our matches.”
Shabana coach Peter Okidi blamed AFC Leopards fans for changing the team’s momentum after they had gone 2-1 down.
“I am sorry to say this, but it is very shameful. It is very shameful, especially for AFC Leopards fans. AFC were leading the game, but we had a good momentum to come back, but their fans resorted to fighting Shabana players,” said Okidi.
“I believe if the game hadn’t stopped, Shabana could have come back into the game. So, it is like even their fans were playing the game. Yes, they have managed to give their team three points, after managing to take down our momentum, but if this is what the league is all about, then we are bringing it down.”
Okidi added: “AFC Leopards played a very big part to bring down our momentum; they did a big part to disorganise us. So, congratulations to AFC players, but for AFC fans, they need to style up.”
On Saturday, Gor Mahia had stretched their lead at the top of the table to nine points following their 2-1 victory against Mathare United at Nyayo Stadium.
Gor Mahia still have to keep going
Speaking after the fixture, Gor Mahia coach Charles Akonnor called on his players to keep their nerves, and take it a game at a time if they are to reclaim the crown from Kenya Police FC.
“Nine points gap is good, but I told you the other day we need to keep the nerves going,” Akonnor told Flashscore. “It is not over. We still have to keep going.
“We still have to believe in ourselves. The boys, as it stands right now, they have been able to possess many things very well, and in a positive way, and we are very happy.
“We have to continue to work, we continue to believe in ourselves and see what happens at the end of the season.”
Gor Mahia has amassed 49 points from 22 matches, AFC have accumulated 43 points from the same number of matches, while Shabana remained with 40 points garnered from 23 matches.
