Why Levis Opiyo is ignoring praise from AFC Leopards fans after impressive displays in goal for Ingwe.
AFC Leopards goalkeeper Levis Opiyo has chosen to remain grounded despite being hailed as one of the best shot-stoppers in the FKF Premier League this season. His heroics against Kariobangi Sharks played a crucial role in helping Leopards secure a valuable point in a hard-fought 0-0 encounter.
The match ended in a goalless draw, leaving Leopards in sixth place with 30 points, while Sharks sit in 13th place with 20 points. Despite the stalemate, Opiyo’s performance stood out, with two crucial saves that denied the Sharks a breakthrough.
Opiyo showcased incredible reflexes to deny Leonlevitt Otieno from close range, just when the Sharks forward thought he had done enough to score. In the second half, he pulled off a brilliant sweeping save to stop Ali Salim Omar, who was clean through on goal after a well-threaded pass from Andres Odhiambo.
Five things we learnt from matchweek 20 of the 2024/2025 FKFPL season, including Levis Opiyo’s turnaround for AFC Leopards.
Apart from his shot-stopping ability, Opiyo was vocal in organizing his defence, often reprimanding his teammates when mistakes were made.
This was evident in the early moments of the match when he confronted his captain, Lewis Bandi, after a defensive lapse allowed Otieno a clear sight of goal. The striker’s shot, however, rattled the upright.
After the match, as AFC Leopards fans showered him with praise for his outstanding performance, Opiyo remained cautious about getting carried away by the moment.
“AFC Leopards is a big club with a large following. Goalkeeping is a very crucial department. It comes with experience because I have played for a long time,” Opiyo said in response to a question from Pulse Sports’ Mark Kinyanjui after the match.
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AFC Leopards could not find a way to overcome Kariobangi Sharks as both sides had to share the spoils on Sunday afternoon.
“I just have to train hard. The team also pushes you because of the fans, and you know that any goalkeeping mistake is suicidal, so I just have to give my best.”
However, Opiyo has had his fair share of struggles, particularly in the heated Mashemeji Derby against Gor Mahia. He controversially attributed his past errors in the fixture to ‘juju’ (black magic), suggesting that some forces beyond football could have played a role in his misfortunes.
Having featured in five Mashemeji Derby encounters, Opiyo has only secured one win, with two draws and two losses. His performances in these high-stakes matches have come under scrutiny, with fans blaming him for costly errors.
In the 2023 first-leg match at Kasarani Stadium, he was faulted for leaving his line too early, allowing Benson Omalla to score with a lobbed finish. In the second leg at Nyayo Stadium, his mistake gifted Gor Mahia a goal after Austine Odhiambo pressed him, leading to a deflected goal.
AFC Leopards could not find a way to overcome Kariobangi Sharks as both sides had to share the spoils on Sunday afternoon.
Despite his recent stellar performances, Opiyo understands the unpredictable nature of football and fan reactions.
“I prefer not to focus on that. Today, you will be serenaded, tomorrow criticised, so I take it all with a pinch of salt,” he admitted.
Meanwhile, the former Gor Mahia custodian remains focused on helping AFC Leopards challenge for the league title and end their 26-year drought.
“We have to keep working. The game was not easy because Sharks are a very tactical side, and we had to approach it carefully. They can punish any mistake, so we had to follow the manager’s instructions, and thank God that helped us get a point,” Opiyo explained.
Leopards remain in the hunt for the FKF Premier League title, keeping a close eye on top contenders like Police FC, Tusker, and Gor Mahia.
“The league is difficult. We are checking on those teams that are doing well. We are closely sniffing. Any point is important for us, so we cannot afford to slip.”
With his level-headed approach and growing confidence, Opiyo is proving to be a vital piece in AFC Leopards’ ambitions this season. However, he knows that in football, the praise can be short-lived, and every match presents a new challenge.
