Leopards dropped points in a tightly contested match against Sofapaka, staying eighth in the league standings. In a Football Kenya Federation Premier League game at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday afternoon, AFC Leopards managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Sofapaka.
Sofapaka came out strong, taking the lead in the very first minute when Rodgers Kipkemboi broke through Ingwe’s defense to score. Batoto ba Mungu had chances to extend their lead in the early part of the match, with Darius Msagha hitting the post with a header and Jacob Onyango forcing a great save from Levis Opiyo.
As the first half progressed, Leopards began to find their rhythm. Kayci Odhiambo narrowly missed with a creative volley after a cross from the left flank, and Victor Omune’s shot from just outside the box was saved by Sofapaka’s goalkeeper, Evans Omondi.
Gitego had two chances to score towards the end of the first half, first with a long-range strike that Omondi saved at the 45-minute mark, and then missing just wide of the post from inside the area shortly before.
The second half saw action from both teams as they fought for dominance, with chances created on both sides. Victor Omune missed a header, and Thomas Kakire’s inside-the-box shot was saved by Opiyo. Omondi made a significant save to deny Boniface Kweyu, but couldn’t stop Omune from equalizing to make it 1-1 shortly afterward.
Musagha almost regained the lead for Sofapaka with a free-kick from 20 yards out, but Opiyo made a fingertip save. The game then experienced a period of decreased intensity, especially after Sofapaka was reduced to ten men in the 73rd minute.
Despite being the slightly better team, Ingwe couldn’t capitalize and had their last significant chance in the 85th minute when Bakari’s shot from inside the box flew just over the crossbar. The match concluded with a 1-1 draw, leaving Leopards in eighth place with 35 points and Sofapaka in 15th place with 25 points.
