AFC Leopards' search for back-to-back wins prolonged after Murang'a Seal draw

© AFC Leopards

FKFPL AFC Leopards' search for back-to-back wins prolonged after Murang'a Seal draw

Festus Chuma 17:27 - 20.12.2023

AFC Leopards and Murang'a Seal played to a draw in Wednesday's FKF Premier League match.

AFC Leopards were unable to secure their third win of the FKF Premier League season after being held to a 1-1 draw by Murang'a Seal at SportPesa on Wednesday afternoon. 

Looking to add to their wins over Kakamega Homeboyz and Nzoia Sugar FC since the start of the season, Ingwe lacked penetration in attack and could not capitalise on their dominance of possession in the opening fifteen minutes. 

As for Seal, their performance was underpinned by a disciplined and determined defensive effort. The result sees Leopards climb to 13th place on the log, eight points adrift of leaders Gor Mahia, while Seal remains in eighth position with 23 points.

AFC Leopards started strongly and forced sharp saves from Seal goalkeeper Wilson Ngamau in the early minutes, with attacking midfielder Victor Omune causing all kinds of problems with his pace and physical presence.

Seal settled down and began to dominate possession, though they struggled to create chances with which to test out Ingwe goalkeeper Levis Opiyo.

AFC Leopards seized the lead in the 25th minute. It all began with a brilliant long-range switch from Vincent Mahiga to Beja Hassan. Beja, showing his skill, skillfully maneuvered past two of his markers. 

With precision, he teed up Omune who had been industrious from the start of the afternoon. The attacker in the perfect position, coolly found the back of the net, securing the opener for Ingwe.

However, Leopards' lead lasted only seven minutes as the hosts hit back through Simon Semo, who found the back of the net from a free-kick.

The momentum was with Ingwe with the half-time break fast approaching and Maxwell Otieno had a chance to put the visitors into the lead in the 42nd minute.

However, Ngamau was alert as he produced a decent save to deny the speedy attacker and the visitors survived a scare.

Ths score was 1-1 at half-time with the visitors having dominated the first-half, but they could only score one goal. 

Seal did most of the attacking after the restart and they created two good chances in the first 15 minutes of the second-half- keeping Levis Opiyo busy in the Leopards goal-posts. 

The experienced shot-stopper had to pull off a great finger-tip save from John Kiplagat's curling cross in the 57th minute. 

Opiyo then produced a magnificent low save to deny Dennis Kweyu from close range with the Ingwe defence exposed following a cross from the left. AFC Leopards should have taken the lead after some good work by Vincent Mahiga in the box.

The former Nzoia Sugar defender played a clever pass for Jaffari Owiti , who was bravely denied by keeper Ngamau from close range.

Both teams made changes as they looked to break the deadlock with Trucha introducing Victor Otieno, Jaffari Owiti, Brian Yakhama while Wilberforce Lugogo and Robert Mudenyu came on for Murang’a.

It was end-to-end stuff in the closing stages of the game with Peter Mwaura being denied from close range by Opiyo and at the other end, Ngamau blocked a shot from Yakhama who had been sent through on goal, and ultimately, the match ended in a 1-1 draw. 

How they lined up:

 Murang’a Seal: Wilson Ngamau, Cornelius Juma, Victor Odhiambo,Samuel Semo, Peter Mwaura, Dennis Munyovi, Titus Kapchanga, Dennis Kweyu, Batts Awita, John Kiplagat, Eric Balecho 

AFC Leopards: Levis Opiyo, Aziz Okaka, Vincent Mahiga, Randy Bakari, Kayci Odhiambo, Musa Oundo, Beja Hassan, Boniface Kweyu, Maxwell Otieno, Victor Omune, Cliff Nyakeya