Sofapaka failed to take advantage of their extra man advantage as Kariobangi Sharks held them to a barren draw in an underwhelming Football Kenya Federation Premier League match played on Wednesday afternoon at the Utalii Grounds.Reduced to 10 men just before the half time whistle, a stubborn Sharks managed to keep out Batoto ba Mungu who will have themselves to blame for failing to create any goalscoring opportunities.With the 0-0 draw, it is Sharks who left the game as the happier side as the result thrust them back to third position albeit temporarily pending results elsewhere.Played under the scorching afternoon sun, the first half of the game could well have been substituted for sleeping pills as the two sides produced a below par performance all through.Save for a Lawrence Juma snapshot on the 25th minute that drew a smart save from Sharks goalkeeper Brandon Bwire and a well struck free kick from Boniface Onyango that equally forced Sofapaka custodian Fredrick Odhiambo to tip the ball out for a corner, there was nothing much to write home about.The half’s significant chance came on the stroke of half time and it was not a goalscoring opportunity, stop with that thought.It was when centre referee showed Samuel Olwande a second yellow card to reduce Sharks to ten men and whole second half ahead of them.The first card shown had been a contentious one because Olwande, as the captain, confronted the referee on what he thought should have been their foul only for him to be slapped with the first card that would come to haunt.In the second half still, Batoto ba Mungu could not conjure anything meaningful whoatsoever as Sharks resolutely showed sheer grit in holding onto a dear point in the game.Sofapaka Starting XIOdhiambo Fredrick, David Otieno, Stephen Okola, Titus Achesa, Geoffrey Ojunga, Said Tsuma, Daniel Guya, Lawrence Juma, Sunday Ikekhai, Roddy Manga, Hansel OchiengSubstitutes: Kevin Omondi, Nixon Omondi, Brandon Obiero, Hamidi Mohamed, Jacob Onyango, Robert Karisa, David King’atua, Alex Imbusia, Roy OkalKariobangi Sharks Starting XIBrandon Obiero, Fredrick Alushula, Julius Masaba, Samuel Olwande, Bonface Onyango, Alphonce Omija,Patillah Omoto, Douglas Mokaya, Fortune Omoto, Felix Oluoch, Eric MataSubstitutes: Brian Olang’o, Tom Teka, Geoffrey Onyango, John Omondi, Isaac Wasambo, Reagan Odede, Ken Kyalo, Henry Juma, Steve Otieno
