AFC Leopards head coach Patrick Aussems joked that he was ready to put on the gloves and get into goal had reserve keeper Maxwell Muchesia been injured and unable to continue during their 1-0 win against Bandari in a midweek league tie at Nyayo Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Aussems admitted he had been praying fervently that the understudy would make it through the tie unscathed because of the lack of options on the bench.
Muchesia was handed his first start this season between the sticks after first choice custodian Levin Opiyo was ruled out of the match due to an illness.
“I was ready to put the gloves on and go into the match (if need be). We only had two goalkeepers and this was quite a big worry for us. Opiyo was not able to start today due to a serious infection so in case anything happened to Maxwell, I would have had to put an outfield player in goal,” Aussems said.
The Dutchman hopes that Opiyo – who has been in imperious form for the felines – will be available to play in their FKF Cup tie against Murang’a Seal over the weekend.
“He has been suffering from an illness throughout the week and was so weak he could not walk properly. Thankfully, he has been under medication and we have three days to monitor him and possibly get him back fit before we resume action…not only for him but also Saad (Musa) who was injured but we are hoping he will also be available,” the gaffer said.
A 67th minute goal by Nigerian Kingsley Ojo Olaniyi earned Ingwe their 12th win of the season in what was a seesaw affair between the two sides.
Olaniyi’s goal came after a period of sustained pressure by Leopards who could have taken the lead a few minutes earlier via Jaffar Owiti whose low shot from the left flank was smothered by Michael Wanyika in the dockers’ goal.
