The experienced Edwin Lavatsa came off the bench to score the equalizer as FC Talanta came from a goal down to hold a wasteful AFC Leopards to a 1-1 draw at the Nyayo National Stadium.Leopards pressed the gas pedal from the onset but their shy striking front failed to make the chances count and consequently, had to contend with a point.Daniel Musamali sent Leopards ahead in the ninth minute after he connected Brian Wanyama’s cross to the far left of the fully stretching Isaiah Wakasala.TEAM NEWS ➡️ Only one change made ✅ @MukangulaEugene replaces Saad Musa Tupatane Nyayo Stadium #Betsafe #OursForever #YaMatere pic.twitter.com/eWUMXHyJqo— AFC Leopards (@AFCLeopards) December 19, 2021 Nigerian important Kingsley Olaniyi would have doubled Ingwe’s lead in the 15th minute after Peter Thiong’o squared the ball on his path only for the burly forward to miss the ball.Olaniyi who joined the Den from Kakamega Homeboyz tried to make amends to the earlier miss, firing from a tight angle three minutes later but Wakasala palmed the ball for an unsuccessful corner kick.Talanta had a sniff at goal in the 28th minute when Brian Yakhama put Gershon Likono through but the former Posta Rangers man fired wide from close range.Wakasala, the busiest player on the pitch in the first half pulled a spectacular save in the 42nd minute to deny Lewis Bandi who had tried to beat him from the near post.Before the centre referee signalled the start of the second half, both teams made changes with Aussems resting Musamali for Saad Musa. Kenyatta on the other hand brought in the duo of Francis Kahiro and Edwin Lavatsa for Likono and Yakhama respectively. It took seconds for Lavatsa to make his presence felt on the pitch as he tapped the ball into an empty net to draw Talanta level. And it ends at Nyayo where @FcTalanta and @AFCLeopards share the spoils. #FKFPL pic.twitter.com/I7uS6MZhDH— FKFcaretaker (@FKFcaretaker) December 19, 2021 Lavatsa was presented with a glorious chance after Levis Opiyo who had leapt high failed to deal with a long ball whipped to the goal that hit the woodwork and fell right in front of him. With Opiyo down and no defender to pile pressure on him, Lavatsa took his sweet time to put the ball past the line much to the disappointment of Ingwe fans who had turned up to support the team. Thiong’o will have himself to blame after he squandered an opportunity to give Leopards the second goal in the 77th after he was left his marker for the dead but unsuccessfully tried to dribble past the advancing Wakasala. Talanta held on until the final whistle to register their fourth draw of the season.FC Talanta XI: Isaiah Wakasala, Alvin Ochieng, Evans Maliachi, Nicodemus Malika, Shela Mandela, Ziyadi Kiwanuka, Michael Bodo, Michael Jairo, Gershon Likono, Mohammed Sebi, Brian Yakhama.Substitutes: James Omusinde, Edwin Lavatsa, Francis Kahiro, Eugene Wambulwa, Eric Lusala, Castro Ogendo, Kevintom Machika. Head coach: Ken Kenyatta AFC Leopards XI: Levis Opiyo, Lewis Bandi, Washington Munene, Kayci Odhiambo, Joachim Oluoch, Daniel Musamali, Brian Wanyama, Marvin Nabwire, Peter Thiong’o, Kingsley Olaniyi, Eugene Mukangula. Substitutes: Maxwell Mulili, Saad Musa, Dan Sunguti, Robert Mudenyu, Prince Ayeko, Donald Ange, Giovanni Lukhumwa, Maxwell Otieno. Head coach: Patrick Aussems
