A disciplined defensive performance from both sides saw AFC Leopards and Bandari FC play out a 0-0 draw on Saturday afternoon at the Mbaraki Sports Club, leaving Ingwe’s title chase stuttering in the coastal heat.
The result moves AFC Leopards to 37 points, keeping them in second place, but they now sit three points adrift of leaders Gor Mahia with a game in hand though.
For Bandari, the point is a consolation after a controversial loss to Shabana in their last match and moves them to 29 points on the log.
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Bandari boss Bernard Mwalala opted for two changes from the side that lost against Shabana with Amza Mubarak and Said Tsuma out for William Wadri and Geoffrey Ojunga respectively.
Ingwe made just one change as Boniface Munyendo came in for Musa Oundo in midfield. Oundo and Tsuma are serving suspensions due to yellow card accumulation.
Bandari FC hold AFC Leopards at Mbaraki Sport Club
The visitors were the first to threaten. In the 19th minute, a slick interchange between Tyson Otieno and Samuel Semo released Sichenje down the flank who delivered a low cross into the area but Samuel Ssenyonjo failed to convert into the empty net.
The hosts responded with an explosive attack at the half hour mark but Frank Ouya shot was blocked by Kaycie for a throw ball.
Ingwee then had another chance to get the lead four minutes later when Sichenje broke down on the left only to hit the woodwork with the score proceeding to the break on level terms.
The largely conservative second half sprung into action in the dying embers of the match.
In the 89th minute, second half substitute Victor Otieno delivered a wonderful cross into the box but Julius Masaba failed to control with his header going just wide.
With a minute to play Ingwe once again threatened on the right, Victor Otieno delivered a perfectly timed cross into the box ,Masaba latched onto it but his shot went straight into Ngeleka’s hands.
The resultant ball saw a quick transition of play releasing Msagha on the left who fired a powerful shot at Katasi but it was saved.
Msagha was adjudged to be offside in the build up.
AFC Leopards will now head back to Nairobi to prepare for the encounter against Posta Rangers, while Bandari FC travels to face Ulinzi Stars in their next SportPesa League assignment.
Bandari FC vs AFC Leopards Sportpesa League Round 20 lineups
Bandari: Alaine Ngeleka,Joseph Otieno,Omar Rajab, Shariff Majabe,Andrew Juma, Clifford Otieno, Geoffrey Ojunga,,Naaman Balecho,Darius Msagha, William Wadri,Frank Ouya
AFC Leopards: Humphrey Katasi,Brian Ojok,Samuel Semo, Emmanuel Lwangu, Kayci Odhiambo, Boniface Munyendo,Kelly Madada,Tyson Otieno,James Kinyanjui,Ronald Sichenje, Samuel Ssenyonjo.