AFC Leopards and Chemelil FC settled for a barren in their opening 2012
Kenyan Premier League fixture played at Nyayo National Stadium on
Saturday afternoon. The match came minutes after champions Tusker had
booked themselves a 2-1 opening win against City Stars at the same
venue.
The hosts-AFC Leopards- began the match on a high and
strung passes that gave the crowd hope of an early goal that was never
to be. A harmless back pass almost gave Ingwe the opening goal early in
the match after Chemelil keeper Fred Onyango misjudged the ball but
luckily he was far off the post and it rolled out for a corner.
Chemelil’s
reply to the leopard’s strong start were masterminded by new signing
Hadji Mwachoki but the solid combination between Nahimana Pako and Eric
Masika proved hard to beat at the defense.
Midway through the
first period, Salim Khamis and Jonas Nahimana misdirected their long
range shots while Mike Baraza squandered the last opportunity in the
first half.
Hadji Mwachoki had the first effort on goal
immediately after the interval but keeper Patrick Matasi made a meal of
his shot with an easy hold. Minutes later, a goal mouth melee at
Chemelil ‘s end almost broke the deadlock but the ball did not cross the
line as the sugar men held on to their good run against Ingwe.
Ugandan
Abbassi Kiwalabye tried a grass cutting shot midway in the second
period against his former masters but the Chemelil keeper read him well
as he comfortably held the ball in his gloves.Jonas Nahimana and Masika
tried to capitalize on another goal mouth melee but the ball was cleared
by the Chemelil defense before further damage could be inflicted.
AFC
Leopards Substitute Jimmy Bagaye who had come on for Oscar Kadenge beat
keeper Fred Onyango but could not direct the ball into the net. Mike
Baraza’s header after a neat free kick went wide as Ingwe intensified
their attacks and Chemelil padded their defense.
Another
substitute Laurent Tumba had the final effort in the added minutes but
keeper Oyango again rose to the task to end the match on a stalemate and
secure visitors Chemelil a vital away point.
After the match
Chemelil Sugar coach Edward Manoah said he is satisfied to have opened
the 2012 campaign with a single point away and against a good team.
“It
was a good match and am satisfied with the performance of the boys. One
point is not bad for a start considering we were playing away and
against a very solid team.” He said.
AFC Leopards:Patrick
Matasi,Edwin Baraza,Eric Masika,Jona Nahimana,Abbassi Kiwalabye,Bernard
Mangoli (Cpt),Charles Okwemba ,Salim Khamis,Oscar Kadenge(Jimmy Bageya)
,Victor Ochieng(Laurent Tumba 69),Mike Baraza
Unused Subs: Barnabas Tiema (Gk),Robert Syongoh,Amon Muchiri,Francis Chinjili,Augustine Etemesi
Chemelil: Fredrick
Onyango,Smith Ouko,Willis Ouma,James Agembe,Charles Odero (Cpt),Victor
Omondi,Daniel Mutahi,David Ojuang,Georson Likonoh(Peter Mwachi 79’)
,Wycliff Odhiambo(Tonney Opondo 66),Hajji Mwachoki(James Musasia 95’)
Unused subs:John Wawu,Moses Chikati,Christopher Litwsa, ,Michael Muiruri
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