Stanley Wilson helps AIK get one over Timothy Ouma's Elfsborg in emphatic affair

made a late cameo as secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over  Elfsborg in Sunday’s Allsvenskan clash at Strawberry Arena. 

The Kenyan, appearing in his second match since joining from Kariobangi Sharks in August, played only a minute after being brought on by the AIK coach to close out the game.

Elfsborg’s Ouma, Wilson’s Kenyan compatriot, played a full 90 minutes, displaying his skill despite the result. Although he was booked, Ouma showcased a solid passing game with a 79 percent accuracy rate, completing eight out of 10 long balls, winning five of 12 ground duels, and tallying five tackles and interceptions.

Kenyan international Timothy Ouma was among the standout performers as his club IF Elfsborg narrowly lost to Turkish giants Galatasaray in a Europa League clash.

The home side struck just seconds into the game, igniting the Strawberry Arena crowd with an early goal. AIK found the net from a header off a freekick, leaving Elfsborg struggling to recover as they scrambled to match the intensity of their hosts.

Elfsborg attempted to respond, with moments of promise, particularly through Emil Holten and Arber Zeneli. However, their efforts were continually thwarted by a resolute AIK defense. Ahmed Qasem had the best opportunity of the first half for the visitors but fired directly at AIK’s keeper, preserving the hosts’ lead.

After halftime, Elfsborg stepped up their attack, pressing AIK in their own half, with Zeneli finding a great opening in the box but sending his shot wide. 

Kenya suffered a 2-0 loss to South Sudan in their first round match of the 2024 CHAN qualifiers.

However, AIK’s stability and physicality in duels allowed them to reset and regain control, culminating in a well-executed second goal in the 68th minute. A cross found an AIK forward in space, who launched a shot high into the corner, unreachable for Elfsborg’s keeper, Isak Pettersson, to make it 2-0.

Elfsborg refused to relent, pressing forward again and finally breaking through in the 82nd minute. Substitute Eggert Gudmundsson won a penalty, converted calmly by Simon Hedlund, narrowing the gap to 2-1 and energizing Elfsborg’s offensive push.

Despite an intense finish, AIK’s defense held strong against Elfsborg’s desperate attempts to equalize, clearing several threatening balls from the box. The six additional minutes of stoppage time saw Elfsborg apply relentless pressure, but the well-organized AIK defense prevailed, sealing their victory and leaving Elfsborg to rue missed chances.

AIK’s win adds crucial points to their tally, while Elfsborg will look to regroup, hoping to bounce back from this narrow defeat in the coming fixtures.