AFC Leopards extended their unbeaten run to six matches; however, they missed the opportunity to break into the top three after being held to a goalless draw by Sofapaka at home on Wednesday evening at the Dandora Stadium.
Th result means that Ingwe drop to fifth place in the standings, as KCB, who triumphed 1-0 against Bandari, leap-frogged them into fourth position with 35 points—just one point ahead.
Furthermore, Ingwe’s home form continues to be a struggle, as they have failed to secure a victory in their last four matches (3 draws, 1 loss) and have accumulated only 16 points from the 10 home games they have played so far.
Meanwhile, Ezekiel Akwana’s side had hoped to build on their 2-0 victory over KCB the previous weekend.
However, by dropping two points in this match, they find themselves in eighth place with 29 points, having registered seven wins, eight draws, and seven losses from 22 matches.
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The game saw both teams create early chances, with the hosts winning a corner in the opening minute. Samuel Semo delivered the ball, but Maxwel Otieno’s header couldn’t make an early impact.
Sofapaka’s Rodgers Kipkemoi then had a chance to give his team the lead in the fourth minute after making a solo run, but at that moment, Levis Opiyo proved up to the task, and both teams remained locked in a stalemate.
The attempt was followed by three more corners from Sofapaka as they applied pressure in the Ingwe half, but the defense held strong and kept them at bay.
Ingwe soon earned a free kick, and sensational Ovella Ochieng stepped up to deliver into the box.
However, Maxwel Otieno’s header was cleared by Sofapaka’s defense. Victor Otieno then tried to squeeze the ball past his marker, but his effort was blocked.
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Rodgers came close again, this time on the goal line, but Lewis Bandi and Samuel Semo cleared the danger, preventing what could have been a game-changing moment.
As both teams pressed for a breakthrough, the game went into the break, still locked in a tense stalemate.
The second half saw Fred Ambani make substitutions in an effort to change the scoreline, bringing on new signing Fredrick Alushula for Hassan Beja, and replacing Ovella Ochieng, whose earlier free kick had struck the woodwork, with Victor Omune.
Ochieng had yet to regain his best form following an injury.
Edward Omondi came close to giving Sofapaka the lead in the 65th minute, but once again, Opiyo Levis made a crucial save to keep the match level.
A minute later, Victor Otieno’s shot was punched out by Evans Omondi, marking the final dangerous attempt from either side.
Despite the changes made by both teams, the outcome remained unchanged as the second-leg result mirrored the first, with the two teams drawing 1-1 at the same venue.
Elsewhere, Ulinzi Stars and Kariobangi Sharks also played out a goalless draw at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.
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FKFPL Wednesday Results
- Ulinzi Stars 0-0 Kariobangi Sharks
- Posta Rangers 1-1 Mara Sugar
- AFC Leopards 0-0 Sofapaka
- Kakamega Homeboyz 3-1 Murang’a SEAL
- KCB 1-0 Bandari