AFC Leopards defeated Bandari FC 2-0 in Friday’s match at the Thika Municipal Stadium as they bounced back from the FKF Cup shootout heartache at the hands of arch-rivals Gor Mahia on Sunday.

Victory ensured Leopards continued to hang on to their slim FKF Premier League title ambitions as it trimmed the gap between them and leaders Tusker down to seven points.

Leopards, who are bidding to end a two-decade long league title drought, are third on the log with 43 points, three behind KCB, who play Tusker on Sunday.

Leopards needed a response following Sunday’s 4-2 penalty shootout loss to Gor and they did so with a solid display in Thika, thanks to second half goals from Robert Mudenyu and Peter Thiong’o.