In a derby that lived up to it’s billing, AFC Leopards and Kakamega Homeboyz shared spoils in a utterly thrilling Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) encounter staged at the Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday 29 December.Brian Wanyama opened the scoring for Ingwe with Michael Karamor restoring parity for Homeboyz before Eugene Mukangula put Leopards ahead again but Yema Mwamba ensured Homeboyz collected a point.Ingwe head coach Patrick Aussems admitted that the clash was entertaining but bemoaned the nature at which they are conceding goals.“The people in the stadium saw a good game, the two teams wanted to win with two completely different styes. We had a team only playing long balls and the other tried to play football. We deserved to win this game, we had a number of opportunities at the end. We were leading but we have conceded goals in the same way through crosses and its something we’ll have to work on,” said Aussems. Full Time:AFC Leopards 2-2 Kakamega Homeboyz Karamor Yema pic.twitter.com/AzzgXmJTLb— Kakamega Homeboyz FC (@FcHomeboyz) December 29, 2021 Abana Abeingo were hoping to fasten their grip at the summit of the log and came into the clash with an unblemished record having not tasted defeat this campaign.Ingwe on the other were having an indifferent season as they arrived into the tie two points above the relegation zone but started picking up form having beaten Posta Rangers, and registered frustrating draws against Vihiga Bullets and FC Talanta.Homeboyz were on the ascendency from the onset as they went close in the 10th minute through a freekick straight off the training ground with Brian Eshihanda firing the final shot that narrowly missed the target.Ingwe stole the lead against the run of play when Fasamni Ojo’s shot was spilled by Godfrey Oputi as the ball fell kindly for Brian Wanyama who rifled the ball into the back of the net.Homeboyz went close in the 36th minute when Collins Odhiambo whipped in a cross that was guided on target by Yema Mwamba but it lacked pace to beat Levis Opiyo in goal.Homeboyz finally got their leveler three minutes to the half time break when Stephen Opoku delivered a pinpoint cross that was nodded in by Michael Karamor into the top left corner leaving Opiyo rooted to the ground.Bernard Mwalala’s charges almost went into the half time break with a lead when Moses Mudavadi found Karamor again but his diving header went wide.Patrick Aussems has some stern words for his charges at half time which was evident from the bright start in the second half and it only took 10 minutes to regain the lead when Maxwell Otieno released a pass across the face of goal that was finished by Eugene Mukangula with aplomb.Ingwe again surrendered their lead in the 69th minute through a comical goal when Mudavadi who was proving to be a thorn in the flesh of Leopards found Mwamba with a low cross and a deft touch saw the ball sneak into the near post.Homeboyz were awarded a freekick just at the edge of the box when Collins Odhiambo was hacked down by Washington Munene who got into the book for the foul but Eston Esiye’s freekick was headed wide by Mudavadi.Ingwe had the final chance in the clash that came in injury time when Marvin Nabwire’s long range strike shaved the crossbar on it’s way out as both teams settled for a draw.AFC Leopards XI: Levis Opiyo, Prince Ayeko (Collins Shivachi 46′), Washington Munene, Kaycl Odhiambo, Joachim Oluoch, Daniel Kakai, Bryan Wanyama, Marvin Omondi, Fasamni Ojo, Maxwell Otieno (75′), Eugene Mukangula (Peter Thiong’o 60′).Subs: Maxwell Mulili , Erick Mbithi, Moses Lukhumwa, Dan Sungutu, Mboya Owen.Homeboyz XI: Godfrey Oputi, Collins Odhiambo, Eric Ambunya, Brian Eshihanda, George Odiwour, Stephen Wakanya (Ali Bahi 60′), Esiye Estone, Yema Mwamba, Michael Karamor (Masinza Christopher 71′), Moses Mudavadi, Stephen Opoku (Sylvester Owino 71′).Subs: David Juma, Stephen Odhiambo, Thomas Wainaina, Brian Buleti, Benson Mutonyi, Benjamin Oketch.
