The 24/25 Football Kenya Federation Premier League title is still up for grabs as league leaders Kenya Police missed an opportunity to extend their lead after being held to a goalless draw by AFC Leopards on Tuesday evening at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.
The stalemate means the law enforcers remain just one point (42) ahead of second-placed Tusker FC (41), while Ingwe, who needed a victory to climb to third place, also squandered their chance.
They now sit in fifth place with 35 points, leaving a seven-point gap between them and the top team.
This result benefits record champions Gor Mahia who are currently in third place.
Should they win their fixture against Kariobangi Sharks at the Dandora Stadium on Wednesday, they will reduce the gap to just three points and also have an advantage game in hand.
Play here and stand a chance of winning the over Ksh 405 million SportPesa Mega Jackpot
In Machakos, in pursuit of the three crucial points due to their poor performance against Mathare United, Kenya Police coach Etienne Ndayirigije was forced to make seven changes to his squad.
Daniel Sakari, Brian Musa, Alvin Mang’eni, David Simiyu, Marvin Nabwire, Daniel Musamali, and Mohamed Bajaber were all sidelined in favor of Abud Omar, Duncan Otieno, Clinton Kinanga, Francis Kahata, David Okoth, and Eric Zakayo.
In the first eight minutes of the match, Ingwe came close to breaking the deadlock, but two chances from free kicks were wasted.
Just three minutes later, the hosts almost took the lead through Clinton Kinanga, whose shot found the back of the net, but the linesman had flagged for offside, and the score remained unchanged.
It was Baraka Badi who came close to giving Police the lead some moments later with a shot that narrowly missed the target.
However, Clinton Kinanga, who was in an offside position, could not capitalize on the chance.
Two minutes later, Kinanga, seemingly unlucky, sent in a brilliant cross to Eric Zakayo, whose shot was saved by Opiyo, earning a corner kick.
ALSO READ: Gor Mahia strengthen squad with 3 foreign signings in midseason transfer window
Coach Ndayirigije was forced to make an early substitution in the 40th minute, with Timothy Oyanda coming on for the injured Eric Zakayo.
In the second half, Kenya Police made three more changes to freshen up their squad.
Francis Kahata, Clinton Kinanga, and Abud Omar were replaced by Alvin Mang’eni, Alfred Leku, and Daniel Sakari, respectively.
The first real attempt of the second half came in the 51st minute when Mousa Oundo’s shot from distance struck the woodwork, denying the visitors a potential lead.
Etienne’s substitutions nearly made an impact, as Alfred Leku had an opportunity with a sliding shot that went wide, resulting in a corner that also came to nothing.
Fred Ambani made his first two changes to inject some energy into his team, bringing on Victor Otieno for Clifton Miheso, and Sydney Lokale for Maxwel Odongo.
However, the changes had little effect on the scoreline. He was forced into another change when Ovella Ochieng was replaced by Robert Sichenje.
Just five minutes into the game, Sichenje had a chance to break the deadlock with a free-kick, but Job Ochieng was alert and punched the ball away for a corner, which also resulted in no goals.
Despite further substitutions from both teams, AFC leopards seemed more energized and pressed for a goal. However, they were unable to capitalize on their chances.
As the 90 minutes of regulation time came to an end, the five minutes of added time indicated a cagey affair, with both teams ultimately sharing the spoils in a 0-0 draw.
ALSO READ: Kenya Pipeline relinquish CAVB Zone 5 Title
Teams’ First XI
Kenya Police: Job Ochieng, Abud Omar, Baraka Badi, Charles Ouma, David Ochieng, Duncan Otieno, Marvin Nabwire, David Okoth, Clinton Kinanga, Eric Zakayo (Timothy Oyanda), Francis Kahata.
AFC Leopards: Levis Opiyo, Fredrick Alushula, Lewis Bandi, Kaycie Odhiambo, Peter Mabok Maker, Mousa Oundo, Ovella Ochieng, Bonface Kweyu, Sydney Lokale, Kelly Mada, Clifton Miheso.