Leopards, Sharks clash ends in draw

Kariobangi Sharks' Duke Abuya (left) and Tresor Ndikumana of AFC Leopards during KPL match at Kasarani Stadium yesterday. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

AFC Leopards and Kariobangi Sharks shared the spoils in a barren draw in a Kenya Premier League (KPL) match at Kasarani yesterday.

It was the fifth draw between the two sides, who have now played each other seven times in the league. For Leopards, the result continues their unbeaten run against their opponents in the top tier league.

It was an exciting first half at Kasarani, but it did not yield goals as both teams struggled to break down each other’s back line.

AFC Leopards were rewarded with the first corner of the match at the quarter hour mark, but it was their opponents who had the first chance nine minutes later when Benjamin Ochan was forced off his line to deny Patrick Otieno.

In the 27th minute, Ismail Diara failed to put Leopards ahead after his close range shot went wide.

The last quarter of the first half saw Kariobangi Sharks dominate play. At the half hour mark Benjamin Ochan denied Eric Juma. Five minutes later Duke Abuya picked out Eric Kapaito but the former footballer of the year could not beat Ochan in goal.

The under pressure Leopards back line was feeling the heat and with it making mistakes. John Wanda got the first caution of the match as Sharks wound up the half with a superb attempt from Patrick Otieno that was put out by Ochan for a corner.

Two changes at the beginning of the second half changed the tied in Leopard’s favour. Ismail Diarra was rested for Austin Odhiambo while John Wanda gave way to Hansel Ochieng.

The immediate impact of the two changes is that Paul Were found more balls on the left flank where he gave the Kariobangi Sharks backline a lot of trouble.

Three minutes into the second half substitute Hensel Ochieng was denied by Brian Bwire. Three minutes later Paul Were picked out Whyvonne Isuza who forced a save from the Kariobangi Sharks goalkeeper.

Sharks who looked subdued for a good part of the second half brought in Harrison Mwendwa for Julius Masaba and Daniel Sakari for Patrick Otieno. Leopards also rested Paul Were for Boniface Muhehe not before he had set up Makwatta whose goal was ruled offside in the 77th minute.

Leopards continued to dominate the dying minutes of the match but still did not get anything from it and will have to wait longer for their first win of the season, the same as Kariobangi Sharks who drew 1-1 against Western Stima.

In Machakos, KCB and Kisumu All Stars also fought to a barren draw in a result that left the bankers going to the top of the log albeit temporarily. The bankers had won their first match 3-0 against Sony Sugar.