Kenya Police and Sofapaka will have to wait longer for their first wins in the 2022-2023 Football Kenya Federation Premier League season after playing to a 1-1 draw at Kasarani Annex on Wednesday afternoon.Police who had been struggling to score goals in the previous rounds squandered their lead to settle for the draw, their second in the campaign.Sofapaka on the other hand, have now registered four draws following the result.Lack of cutting edge in the final third worked against Police especially in the first half as the chances created counted for nothing as the team had nothing to show for it heading to the fifteen-minute break. Unlike in the last duel against Bandari where Police struggled to string passes together and make in roads to the area, the law enforcers looked lively and seamlessly made way to the Sofapaka box but, all their march was easily repulsed. Sofapaka custodian Mathias Kigonya made a couple of saves and would occasionally advance to intercept the crosses that were floated in the area for the tallest player on the pitch, Police forward Clinton Kinanga. Sofapaka also tried to capitalize on Davies Kasirye and Roddy Manga’s height as long balls were floated in the area but Harun Shakava’s gigantic shape came in handy as he was a perfect match, clearing the danger on most occasions.Batoto Ba Mungu who relied heavily on counterattacks were unlucky not to take the lead in the dying seconds of the first half as Job Ochieng pulled a finger tip save to deflect a goal bound shot for a corner. Ulinzi Stars shoot sorry Talanta thrice at Kasarani AnnexThe introduction of Elvis Rupia for Kinanga before restart paid off as the burly forward broke the deadlock in the 49th minute, heading home the ball from a corner. Rupia who sprinted to the substitutes bench to celebrate, became the first Police player to score a league goal this season. Second half After conceding, Sofapaka who threw in some fresh legs stepped up their performance and gradually began to eat into the dominance of the Police who by far were the best team.Sofapaka would grab the equalizer in the 76th minute through Roddy Manga who headed the ball into an empty net after Ochieng who was off the line failed to make contact.The goal appeared to be a source of inspiration for Sofapaka as they took control of the proceedings in the remaining minutes on the clock but couldn’t find the winner.Sofapaka squad; Mathias Kigonya, David Nshimirimana, Brian Wepo, Titus Achesa, Stephen Okola, Roy Okal (Kevin Okoth 60), Sébastine Sunday, Lucky Mweu, Davies Kasiyre (Geoffrey Ojunga 60), Roddy Manga, Ambrose Sifuna (Ben Stanley 79)Unused substitutes; Kevin Omondi, Nixon Omondi, Alex Imbusia,Ronack Elvis,Jacob Onyango,Kenya Police squad; Job Ochieng, Harun Shakava, Musa Mohamed, David Owino, Baraka Badi, Marvin Nabwire, Patilah Omoto, Duke Abuya, Clifton Miheso (Arvin Mang’eni 45+1) Clinton Kinanga (Elvis Rupia 46), Reagan Otieno (David Simiyu 79)Unused substitutes; Bonphas Munyasa, Yusuf Mainge, Kevin Ouma, John Ndirangu, Charles Ouma, David Okoth, Francis Kahata
