AFC Leopards and Nzoia Sugar battled out to a one-all draw in an FKF Premier League match that was staged at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday afternoon.Fans feeling the pitch after after the FKFPL match between AFC Leopards Vs Nzoia at the Newly refurbished Nyayo National Stadium. pic.twitter.com/l34AznDGKa— Kelly Ayodi (@AyodiKelly) January 9, 2022 Leopards started the game strongly and had two good chances inside the first four minutes. The first went Maxwell Otieno’s way in the second minute but the youngster shot directly at Benson Mangala on Nzoia goal. The next was from a Joachim Oluoch freekick which went straight into Mangala’s waiting arms.The two missed opportunities would return to haunt Leopards as Nzoia went ahead in the 9th minute through Kevin Juma after some good work involving Joseph Mwangi, Vincent Mahia and Collins Wakhungu, the later would set up his captain for the opener. Leopards nearly hit back in the 13th minute through Ola Ojaniyi whose venomous shot from the edge of the area was saved by Mangala.The hosts continued to dominate possession particularly in the middle of the park but looked vulnerable on the break as Nzoia’s quick transition caught them napping on several occasions, the visitors however failed to take the easy opportunities that presented themselves.Sensing that his team wasn’t giving much going forward, Leopards coach Patrick Aussems made a tactical change in the 27th minute. Collins Shivachi was rested for Peter Thiong’o as Ingwe went all out forward. They were rewarded in the 34th minute when Eugene Mukangula fired home after being set up by Olaniyi. The Nigerian would be denied by Mangala from point-blank range five minutes later, the keeper paried his glancing header for a corner kick.Nzoia ended the first half on a high, Levis Okello rattled the upright after collecting a Levis Opiyo loose pass and seconds later the keeper redeemed himself with a point blank save to deny the attacker. The first half ended even.Second half The start of the second half was equally feisty. Unlike in the first where Nzoia started slowly, in the second they tried to match the hosts by throwing numbers in search of a second goal of the match.At the hour mark, Olaniyi missed an easy chance inside the area. He was fed by Brian Wanyama but he somehow shot wide inches from the goal line. Otieno had a good chance to score in a second game in a row but somehow his left foot shot went over in the 71st minute. Moments later substitute Kayci Odhiambo forced Mangala to pull another huge save.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Olaniyi’s wait for a first goal for Leopards was prolonged when he rattled the upright with a half-volley in the 84th minute and Marvin Nabwire’s shot from the rebound was saved by Mangala.None of the sides could find the winner and spoils were shared at Nyayo stadium.
