Photo Credit - POLICE F.C Media.
Kenya Police FC missed out on a chance to move three points clear at the summit of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League table following a 0-0 draw against AFC Leopards in a rescheduled fixture at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Tuesday.
Just like second-placed Tusker, who had a great opportunity to leapfrog the law enforcers and sit top with three points ahead but drew 0-0 against Bandari away on Sunday, Police also failed to take advantage of Tusker’s dropped points as they settled for a similar result.
Police started the game on a wrong footing as Baraka Badi received an early booking for what the referee deemed to be a high challenge during a clearance in the seventh minute. In the 12th minute, Ingwe breathed a sigh of relief when Clinton Kinanga found the back of the net, but the offside flag denied him a goal.
The tie remained a tightly contested affair as the teams closed the 30th minute mark, with only moments of individual brilliance on display from both sides. Six minutes later, Police came close to breaking the deadlock as Badi powered a low, but fierce shot that crashed off the bottom of the post.
With five minutes left until the half-time break, Police were forced into an early substitution when Eric Zakayo left the pitch with an injury and was replaced by Tim Oyanda. That was the major highlight in the closing stages of the first half as the two sides went into the break tied 0-0.
At the start of the second half, Police coach Etienne Ndayiragije made three substitutions bringing on Alfred Leku, Daniel Sakari, and Alvin Mang'eni to replace Clinton Kinanga, Francis Kahata, and Aboud Omar.
Despite the changes, it was Ingwe, who created the first meaningful chance in the 52nd minute when Boniface Munyendo fired a powerful low shot from the edge of the box, but the post denied him, sending the ball back into play.
Police’s Alfred Leku became the second player to be booked after he received a yellow card for a minor challenge in the 66th minute, and five minute later, Jesse Were was introduced for the law enforcers for David Okoth.
Ingwe once again came close in the 80th minute when Clifton Miheso curled in a free-kick from outside the box, but Police custodian Job Ochieng made a fingertip save to keep the game 0-0.
Despite both sides trying to break the deadlock, the game ended 0-0 denying Police a chance to open a gap at the top. Police are now on 42 points, one more than the Brewers.
Meanwhile, champions Gor Mahia will reduce the gap two three points if they manage to beat Kariobangi Sharks in another rescheduled fixture at Dandora Stadium on Wednesday.
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