Only a single goal was enough to separate AFC Leopards and Tusker FC. Leopard's managed to draw first blood in the first half after Saad Musa scored a goal in the 19th minute. AFC Leopards' Peter Thiongo had a wonderfully lobbed ball into Musa's path who later converted the clear cut chance with a powerful finesse shot past keeper Brian Bwire.
Leading 1-0 from the break, Tusker were handed the opportunity to level the scores from 12 yards but Muchiri sent his spot kick wide.Tusker head coach Robert Matano pegged the loss on an injury ravaged squad and explained his decision to withdraw Clyde Senaji after just 30 minutes of play.
"The problem is about injuries. We had six or seven injuries and had no fit strikers but we will regroup and come back strongly. We picked about three injuries against Gor Mahia in the Super Cup. Senaji had an injury but we just fielded him. A number of our midfielders have injuries and this is a makeshift team. Shami played as a striker and he is not a striker. The solution is just to have our players who are injured return to fitness," said Matano.
The match which attracted the eyes of new Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat saw Leopards settled early into the match rather than Tusker who headed into the match as favourites.
While Leopards has signed no players after losing senior players who played a crucial role in the club's fourth-place finish last season, Tusker have bolstered their squad immensely. The brewers have roped in more than 12 players not only for the title defence but also for the continental assignment. Tanzanian import Ibrahim Joshua, former Kakamega Homeboyz striker Shami Kibwana and Ugandan striker Deogratius Ojok had all debuted with goals for Tusker during the Caf Champions League preliminary round and FKF Super Cup.
AFC Leopards assistant coach Tom Juma was delighted with the win and opened up on the tradition of promoting young players to the senior team as they currently serve the transfer ban.
"I thank God for the win and also the players. We really psyched them up for the game and I'm happy with the result because beating the defending champions is not easy. We have looked at the areas that need improving and will work on that ahead of the next game. We have a culture of promoting youth players to the senior team like Austin and Maxwell and I hope the young players will come of age," said Juma.