AFC Leopards secured a 3-1 victory over Dero FC in the Mozzart Bet Cup round of 64 match played at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium in Siaya. With the win, Ingwe progresses to the round of 32 as they continue their quest for the domestic cup title and a potential slot in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The match saw AFC Leopards, a seasoned top-flight side, take on Nyanza Regional League outfit Dero FC in a repeat of their 2017 clash in the same competition. Back then, Leopards registered a resounding 15-1 victory en route to lifting the cup under coach Robert Matano. Their triumph that season earned them a ticket to represent Kenya in the CAF Confederation Cup, though they exited in the preliminary round against Madagascar’s FOSA Juniors on the away goals rule.
Today’s encounter was equally a one-sided affair, with AFC Leopards wrapping up the match in the first half. Julius Masaba opened the scoring in the 18th minute before Clifton Miheso doubled the advantage in the 34th minute. Sydney Lokale added a third goal in the 42nd minute, giving Leopards a comfortable lead. Dero FC pulled one back just before the break, but it was not enough to mount a comeback.
The match saw goalkeeper James Ssetuba make his debut for AFC Leopards, while right-back Fredrick Alushula was handed his first start. Both players put in solid performances as the team successfully navigated the challenge posed by the lower-tier opponents.
AFC Leopards’ focus now shifts to the round of 32 as they aim to go further than last season when they reached the semi-finals. In the previous campaign, Leopards started with a 3-0 win against PAC University, edged Shabana 1-0 in the round of 16, beat Compel FC 3-1, but fell short in the semi-final against Police FC, who went on to win the tournament.
With their sights set on winning the Mozzart Bet Cup and earning another shot at continental football, AFC Leopards will be eager to maintain their momentum in the upcoming rounds.
