[PHOTO/goal.com]
After waiting for years out of the international scene, AFC Leopards are finally this year's Shield Cup winners and will be looking forward to lock horns with clubs from other countries next year.
But how did they plot to win this after a hot and cold campaign in the premier league?
It is understood that since the management knew the club had not impressed in the season, they invested heavily in the Shield final to please their fans.
Players were taken to a two-day camp in Machakos to reiterate the importance of the match where they would be facing league debutants but favourites Kariobangi Sharks who were also making their maiden appearance at the finals.
Political leaders are said to have been part of these plans to see Ingwe shine and it is understood they put a winning price on the players.
But to the players, it was not just a matter of the money. It was a matter of honour too, as Sharks had beaten them twice and drawn once this season.
On the pitch, the Leopards therefore began on a high, surging forth in hunt of a early goal.
The first half-hour was a Leopards affair with their custodian Gabriel Andika remaining untested as they kept the ball in Kariobangi's backyard.
Their efforts were rewarded in the 19th minute when defender Abdallah Shittu headed in from a corner kick to make it 1-0, a score they carried to the halftime break.
On returning, Kariobangi tried to settle in the match as the skies opened for a downpour. A few threatening runs into the Ingwe half would have proven disastrous if not for an up-to-task defence around Andika.
But with 8 minutes remaining to the final whistle, Leopards young striker Vincent Oburu beat his markers to send in a powerful shot that counted as the second and final goal of the match, sending the whole stadium into a frenzy.
Notable of the strategy was to contain Sharks striker Masoud Juma. This the Leopards did perfectly well with a defending partnership of Shitu, Dennis Sikhayi, Lewis Wanami and captain Duncan Otieno.
A midfield marshalling of Ugandan import Musa Mudde saw most of Kariobangi's encroachment detonated in the heart of play as Whyvonne Isuza, Victor Majid and Aziz Okaka partnered to supply Oburu and compartriot Ray Omondi who was coming back from injury.