AFC Leopards snatched a dramatic 2-1 victory over Kenya Police FC after Ronald Sichenje struck in stoppage time in their SportPesa League encounter at Nyayo National Stadium on Tuesday, October 20.
Sichenje scored in the 93rd minute to settle a fiercely contested match and hand Ingwe their first victory of the 2026/27 campaign after opening the season with a goalless draw against Bandari FC.
Kevin Luke Otiala had given Leopards the lead shortly after the break, scoring in the 46th minute before Kenya Police striker Elvis Rupia restored parity in the 59th minute.
With the match appearing destined for a draw, Sichenje delivered the decisive moment late in the game, securing all three points for the former Kenyan champions and sparking celebrations among their supporters.
The victory provided a timely boost for coach Fred Ambani’s side as they seek to challenge for the league title after finishing second last season behind champions Gor Mahia.
The match was also marked by tension in the stands during the first half after a disallowed goal sparked protests from sections of the Leopards supporters.
Supporters threw objects onto the pitch in reaction to the decision, creating a tense atmosphere before the teams returned for the second half.
The incident threatened to overshadow an evenly contested opening period, which ended goalless, with neither side managing to establish a breakthrough.
Leopards responded after the interval, with Otiala finding the net just a minute after the restart to give the hosts the advantage.
However, Kenya Police, who were seeking their first victory of the new campaign, responded through Rupia, whose 59th-minute equaliser put the Law Enforcers back on level terms.
The goal set up a tense closing period as both teams pursued a winner, with Leopards eventually finding the breakthrough through Sichenje in the third minute of added time.
For Kenya Police, the defeat extended their wait for a first win of the season after they began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against newly promoted Migori Youth.
The Law Enforcers, coached by Nicholas Muyoti, will now have to regroup after surrendering a point late in the contest, while Leopards will take confidence from their ability to secure a result in a closely fought encounter.
AFC Leopards will next face Shabana FC at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, October 25, as they look to build momentum from their first league victory.
For Ingwe, Sichenje’s late intervention could prove an important moment early in the campaign, particularly as they seek to close the gap on the teams competing for the title.
