By James Waindi

Former Kenya Premier League (KPL) champions, Tusker, leaped to the top the table after beating AFC Leopards 3-2 in a breath-taking encounter at the Coca Cola Stadium, Nairobi.

But their lead at the helm may change today if Sofapaka beat Sher Karuturi in Naivasha.

Leopards, who are stuck at the bottom of the table with a single win from 10 matches, pushed hard, but Tusker’s defenders Jockins Atudo and Christopher Litswa proved too strong.

After 38 minutes, Leopards were caught against the run of play when Noah Abich’s cross from the right flank was tapped in by Hassan Mutenza from close range for the opening goal.

On resumption, Leopards coach introduced striker, Tafadzwa Dondo, in place of Umekwe Ekwe and the substitution paid off. Dondo, with his first touch of the ball, beat Noah Abich to deliver a cross to Tusker’s box and Sebastian Muchera drilled in a hard ball to level scores in the 47th minute.

Dondo was at it again three minutes later, this time releasing Muchera on the right and Tusker defender, Joseph Shikokoti, who had clearly been beaten to pace, clipped the striker inside the box in an effort to stop him and it resulted to a penalty.

Skipper Francis Xavier stepped up to take the kick and he made no mistake with the spot kick, giving Leopards a 2-1 lead.

Sensing danger, Tusker coach, James Nandwa, made two quick substitutions, bringing in Collins Okoth and David Seda for Christopher Litswa and Moses Odhiambo, changes which seemed to work as Joseph Emeka tapped in Oscar Kadenge’s cross in the 62nd minute to level the scores.

Leopards’ custodian Teddy Okumba saved a point blank header from Mutenza two minutes later, but he could do little to stop Jerry Santo’s diving header after 70 minutes.

The last 20 minutes was a tale of Leopards creating and wasting chances, with substitute Farid Ahmed being the biggest culprit. He wasted two clear cut chances with a yawning goal.

Nandwa said he rested most of his first team players as he focused on next weekend’s trip to Western Stima, which he said, would be tough.

"Today’s match was tough than I expected and I am happy were at the top of the table after a false start in the league. I rested some of my key players as I focus on the next weekend’s tie against Western Stima away, which I know would not be a walk in the park," said Nandwa.

Tusker’s key players who missed the match included International John Njoroge, Joseph Njuguna, Simon Mburu, Humphrey Okoti and Japhary Oyando.