AFC Leopards held by Sofapaka as Homeboyz see their lead cut down

• Sofapaka assistant coach David Ouma was red carded during the match
• Leopards have now drawn three games in a row
• Kakamega Homeboyz suffered their second defeat of the season

AFC Leopards came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Sofapaka in an FKF Premier League match played at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday. Daniel Musamali’s header five minutes to the break handed Leopards a point after Lawrence Juma had given Batoto ba Mungu the lead.

The match was however marred by a mid-match brawl between the two technical benches with Sofapaka assistant coach David Ouma red carded. The AFC bench had burst into the Sofapaka technical area after Ouma was alleged to have thrown dirty words at AFC tactician Patrick Aussems.

The incident seemed to have thrown Sofapaka off balance as they conceded just two minutes later when Musamali scored with a looping header from Washington Munene’s cross.

Leopards drew level after Sofapaka had taken a 20^th minute lead when Lawrence Juma sneaked in to head Said Tsuma’s corner at the near post.

Brian Wanyama of AFC Leopards controls the ball away from Alex Imbusia of Sofapaka

Sofapaka picked the lead after Leopards had hunted for most of the opening minutes, Eugene Mukangula being denied by the keeper off a Munene cross before Enock Wanyama’s shot was well collected by the keeper.

In the second half, chances were few and far in between. The closest effort at goal was in the 50th minute when a quick counter by AFC saw Collins Shichenje play the ball out to Maxwell Otieno who in turn swung a cross into the box.

Shichenje went for an acrobatic kick but Sofapaka keeper Kevin Omondi made a good save.

Meanwhile, Kakamega Homeboyz’s lead at the top of the standings was cut down to six points after suffering their second defeat of the season, going down 2-1 away to Bandari FC in Mombasa. Sylvester Owino grabbed one back for Homeboyz in the 81^st minute, but they could not complete the comeback.

Bandari players celebrate Kevin Kimani’s goal

Bandari picked their second consecutive win after Kevin Kimani had given them the lead and William Wadri’s brilliant freekick took them 2-0 up inside the first half.

With Tusker FC having won 1-0 against Kariobangi Sharks, the difference between first and second is now just six points. City Stars also cemented their hold on third placed after coming from behind to beat Vihiga Bullets 2-1 in Kakamega.

In Kisumu, new Police FC head coach Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo began his tenure in emphatic form after beating his former employers Gor Mahia 2-0. Police put off a seven-match winless streak to pick a vital victory.

Former Gor Mahia man Clifton Miheso gave Police the lead with his 11^th goal of the season in the first half, before Clinton Kinanga scored the second goal late on, as Police finally bounced to winning ways.

Meanwhile, Mathare United’s relegation woes were deepened after they suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Bidco United.

The defeat, Mathare’s 17^th of the season in 22 matches sees them remain rooted at the bottom with 11 points, 11 away from safety. Nzoia Sugar at the same time lifted themselves off the chop zone with a 1-0 win away to Posta Rangers.

The result saw the sugar millers move to 22 points and swap places with Wazito FC who now drop into the relegation zone following their 2-0 loss to KCB on Saturday.