The much-hyped Kenyan Premier League encounter between AFC Leopards and Shabana lived up to its billing with the ultra-modern 7500-capacity Ulinzi Complex filling to the brim.
Brian Yakhama fired Ingwe ahead from the spot in the 14th minute before seasoned Shabana skipper Peter Ongechi burnt a hole in the net with a splendid effort in the 21st minute to level the proceedings.
AFC Leopards head coach Tom Juma, who is yet to record a win this season, said he was disappointed that they threw away yet another glorious opportunity to bag maximum points.
“It’s high time we learned how to protect our lead. This is the second time we have conceded a goal after taking the lead. It also happened in our last match, against Muhoroni,” Juma lamented.
“We also need to learn how to concentrate throughout the match. The fans are getting impatient and we must now find a way of appeasing them. It’s unfortunate they always leave disappointed after filling the stands. But all in all, we had a good match save for the blunder that gifted out opponents the equaliser,” Juma added.
Shabana head coach Sammy Okoth urged his charges to step on the gas peddle and grope for the crucial win that has eluded them this season.
“We need to start performing better. We have the 12th player who has been passionately behind us and it is now time to reciprocate,” Okoth said. “It wasn’t an easy match though and I must laud my players for displaying such a great character to pick a point away from home.”
Ingwe lie in a precarious 15th position on the log, only a step away from the relegation zone after securing four draws from five matches.
At Nyayo Stadium, defending champions Gor Mahia secured a late equaliser to wring out a point from their closely-contested thriller against KCB that ended in a one-all draw.
Apollo Otieno pounced on a misplaced pass in the middle of the pitch before unleashing a rasping shot that wheezed past custodian Kevin Omondi into the back of the net.
Just as the bankers were about to celebrate their second victory of the season, fleet-footed Ugandan forward Rodgers Mugisha latched onto a loosely-cleared ball to restore parity in the 88th minute.
At Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa, Brian Eshihanda’s 63rd-minute goal for Kakamega Homeboyz was enough to condemn Bandari to their second loss of the season.
Former champions Tusker played out to a barren draw against Talanta in a drab affair held at Kasarani Annex.
