Batt Awita‘s stoppage time goal was all Murang’a Seal needed to collect maximumn points in their FKF Premier League debut as they edged Shabana in a closely contested match played at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homabay.
AFC Leopards 0-0 FC Talanta
Tom Juma‘s first game at the helm of AFC Leopards ended up being bland, as he watched his side toil to a barren draw against ten-men Talanta FC in the opening weekend game staged at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
A tale of missed opportunities in two vastly different halves would be the best way to put it, as Leopards, with their dozen chances at goal, failed to hit the target, all in the face of Talanta enduring the last half-hour without Lucas Weitere – who was sent off for a second bookable offense.
“Really tough game,” Talanta head coach Ken Kenyatta said post-game. “Given the circumstances, kudos to my boys for getting a point at a time where we haven’t got our match fitness yet.”
Tom Juma, on the other hand, was left disappointed in his team’s cutting edge saying, “It was visible we are yet to click. Can’t give an answer to when we will have some fluidity in the team but we will keep working. “
Match Recap.
For all the expectations under a new regime, AFC Leopards’ start was not all the more convincing, and so too was Talanta’s – as both sides labored to hang onto the possession early on.
In his first competitive debut for Ingwe, Boniface Munyendo was at hand with the game’s first chance.
The former Nzoia United man wriggled through the Talanta midfield before teeing up an overlapping Washington Munene who connected with Jaffari Owiti only to head wide.
In hindsight, that seventh minute attempt looked to be the only real chance for the home side – who looked a bit disjointed in attack.
Talanta though, with every passing minute, looked to gain on Leopards, carving out a real chance when Kevinton Machika rattled Mulili’s post shortly after the half-hour mark.
By this time, the home fans had their hearts stop momentarily (twice) as Kayci Odhiambo attempted -albeit unsuccessfully- to build up play with his goalkeeper Maxwell Mulili.
A barren draw at the break was followed with a personnel change afterwards, as Brian Mandela came on for a booked Loren James, one that in the first quarter hour failed to show.
Talanta then in the 60th mark reduced to ten men when Lucas Weitere was booked for the second time, handing AFC Leopards the upper hand in a game that desperately needed some spark.
Nine minutes later, Juma threw another spanner in the works as new signings Brian Yakhama and Hassan Beja came in for Kevin Kimani and Owiti.
Yakhama operating on the right side of attack, fluffed a chance moments later, before Yassin Sije lashed his effort to the back-netting – fortunately in an offside position.
Talanta’s rearguard was holding on, and with a looping ball deep in added time, substitute Herman Ngala broke free, only to see his shot sail over the bar.
Other results
Posta Rangers 0-0 Bidco United
Nairobi City Stars 0-0 Muhoroni Youth
LINEUPS.
AFC Leopards:Â Maxwell Mulili, Loren James, Washington Munene, Emmanuel Lwanga, Kayci Odhiambo, Musa Oundo, Cliff Nyakeya, Boniface Munyendo, Yassin Sije, Kevin Kimani, Jaffari Owiti.
SUBSTITUTES:Â Levis Opiyo, Vincent Mahiga, Randi Bakari, Moses Lukhumwa, Brian Mandela, Brian Yakhama, Hassan Beja, Victor Otieno, Luke Namanda.
Talanta FC:Â Isaiah Wakasala, Peter Mungai, George Ouma, Brian Okoth, Ian Omondi, Lucas Weitere, Alex Juma, Alex Luganji, Kevinton Machika, Lesley Otieno, Michael Jairo.
SUBSTITUTES:Â James Omusinde, Bernard Odhiambo, Brian Wanyonyi, Herman Ngala, Augustine Kuta, December Kisakah, Clinton Makacha, Steve Austine Otieno.
