AFC Leopards head coach Patrick Aussems showered his charges with rosy words after they broke the jinx to end the five-match losing streak that threatened to expose them to relegation.
Leopards dramatically bounced back from their heartwrenching 1-0 loss to Bidco United five days ago to edge Posta Rangers by the same margin, in a hotly contested Kenyan Premier League encounter at Nyayo Stadium on Thursday.
Washington Munene's 25th-minute goal was all the 13-time KPL champions needed to slaughter their hard-fighting opponents.
“That was a superb performance, a big indication the squad is gradually growing in leaps and bounds. With this kind of performance we are likely to reclaim our rightful place among the respected sides in the competition,” said the visibly elated Belgian who is rumoured to be on his way out.
“We need to maintain the spirit heading into our next match. Like I said before, we have a young side that will require some time to mature but it seems from this surprise outcome that the maturity has come earlier than we expected,” he added.
Posta Rangers gaffer Stanley Okumbi said the two-week break had impacted negatively on the momentum the side had gathered earlier in the season, adding that their long list of injuries added to their woes.
“I believe we still have the capacity to get back on our feet again after this setback. The league still has a long way to go and we hope to bounce back in our subsequent matches.
“Our backline has been weakened a little bit by the injuries two of our dependable defenders sustained earlier. Generally, the boys gave out their best but that's football and the results are not always what you expect.
At Bukhungu, record champions Gor Mahia heaped more misery on bottom-placed Vihiga United following an emphatic 3-o win.
George 'Blackberry' Odhiambo broke the deadlock with a sublime finish to put K'Ogalo ahead, barely five minutes into the proceedings before Boniface Omondi and Peter Lwassa netted a goal apiece to put the outcome beyond doubt.
The win has left Gor Mahia at the summit of the log with 17 points same as Homeboyz but with a healthier goal difference.
Coastal darlings, Bandari, failed to capitalize on the home advantage after KCB held them to a barren draw at Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa. KCB are now fourth with 15 points while Bandari have slumped to seventh with 14 points.
