AFC Leopards coach Stewart Hall has said his players were overawed by the occasion after suffering a 3-0 defeat to rivals Gor Mahia in the Kenyan Premier league game played at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday. “We couldn’t handle the first 15 minutes. In the first 15 minutes when we were running around like rabbits, they got on top of the game, physically, mentally, tactically, everything,” said Hall. The Ingwe coach said the AFC Leopards players are ‘young’ and haven’t played in a derby before, “How many of these players have played in a derby before? How many of their players have played in a derby?” posed Hall. He added that the performance by the team was a terrible performance.
Gor Mahia scored the first goal of the game through Meddie Kagere in the 18th minute. The second goal was scored in the 35th minute by George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo in the 35th minute, after being assisted by Kenneth Muguna. AFC Leopards emerged from the tunnel in the second half with sights set on redeeming themselves and getting something from the game, but it wasn’t meant to be, as Timothy Otieno sealed the win for Gor Mahia in the 84th minute. AFC Leopards have dropped by two places in the eighth position.