NAIROBI: IT is the end of the road for AFC Leopards!  This follows a 2-2 draw with high flying South African Premiership side, Super Sport United in a CAF Confederations Cup second leg of the first round encounter contested at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya on Sunday.

A fortnight ago, United had earlier on humiliated Leopards 2-0 in Pretoria, a comfortable lead which finally saw the South African side progress into the second round of the tournament on a 4-2 aggregate.  The hosts in the second league scored their goals through dependable forward Allan Wanga and defender James Situma while United broke hearts for Kenyans with goals from Thuso Phala and Sameegh Doutie.

Despite fielding a strong squad comprising Noah Wafula, goalscorer Wanga, acrobatic goalkeeper Wycliffe Kasaya, Peter Opiyo and Abdalla Juma, Leopards could not afford to breach the United defence on three occasions in order to progress to the next stage of the tournament.  However, it was the South African side, which managed to put its house in order before grabbing two crucial away goals that propelled SuperSport United to the next stage of the tournament.

Leopards tried in vain to grab early goals, but found the visitors’ defence unyielding.  Leopards applied relentless pressure by attempting to attack United but in most occasions found their goal minder Rowen Williams in a no compromising mood.  The brilliant saves gave confidence SuperSport United players who later started adventuring upfront before scoring.  AFC Leopards equalised towards the dying stages of the match but it was too late to salvage their CAF mission.

SOURCE: CAJ NEWS AGENCY