AFC Leopards rally from behind to share spoils with Mathare
AFC Leopards staged a spirited second half comeback to secure a 2-2 draw with Mathare United in an entertaining Kenyan Premier League match at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday .Andrew Tololwa and George Ochieng gave the slum boys the lead that lasted up to half time but an own goal by Llyod Wahome and a spot kit by Mike Baraza ensured the teams went home with a point each.
AFC Leopard’sOscar Kadenge had the first chance of the game in the fourth minute but his shot went wide.
Mathare took an early lead when Andrew Tololwa headed in Kevin Kimani’s corner. The goal seemed to have caught AFC Leopards offguard as they plaed in comparison to their opponents.
Kimani Kimani’s free kick was saved on the edge by keeper Patrick Matasi and the Mathare skipper followed it up with a hard shot that Matasi spilt but recovered quickly before further damage could be done.
AFC coach Jans Koops was forced to pull out Salim Khamis who got injured and in his place came Jimmy Bageya.
In the 35th minute,George Ochieng extended the lead for Mathare with his debut goal, a 50 yard strike that beat Matasi who was off his line.
Francis Chinjili had the last first half effort but his cross floated in the Mathare box with no player to connect. The teams then went to the break with Mathare still two goals up.
Second half comeback
Immediately after the half time, Coach Koops introduced Brian Masiolo for Francis Chinjili but it was first half substitute Jimmy Bageya who got the first opportunity to pull one back but his shot was saved by Mathare keeper Joseph Ruto.
As the momentum swung in favor of AFC Leopards ,Jimmy Bageya lead another offensive and his final shot hit Mathare United defender Llyod Wahome for an own goal but the short Ugandan still gor credit for the goal.
Minutes later the hard working Jimmy Bageya went down inside the box thereby winning AFC Leopards a penalty that Mike Baraza easily converted. Baraza later picked an injury and had to be stretched out. Joseph Okumu came in his place.
As the match neared the end, Mathare United’s Jesse Were would have been a hero had his 76th minute header gone in. AFC Leopards went on finish the match the better side but never managed to score another goal.
The draw was the 12th for Mathare United this season, a feat that has surely earned them the “draw masters“ tag.For AFC Leopards,this was their ninth game game in a row to go unbeaten.
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