All even as Gor and Leopards draw blanks

Elvis Rupia (left) of AFC Leopards and Andrew Juma of Gor Mahia during their FKF Premier League Match at the MISC, Kasarani on Sunday afternoon. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Being locked out of the Mashemeji derby may not have been so bad for fans as Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards battled out to an uninspiring goalless draw at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday.

Though the result means that AFC Leopards will have to wait a little longer to break the derby jinx they have remained fourth on the log with 19 points, three ahead of sixth-placed Gor Mahia. AFC has not beaten Gor Mahia since securing a 1-0 victory in June 2016.

Gor Mahia threatened first in the third minute with captain Kenneth Muguna forcing fine save from goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan.

AFC Leopards responded immediately with Fabrice Mugheni earning them a free kick in a promising position, but captain Robinson Kamura’s deflected shot was easily gathered by goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch.

Ochan then came off his line to stop Jules Ulimwengu from pouncing on Muguna’s long ball before Charles Momanyi rocketed over his effort in the area after latching on a rebound.

Muguna almost gave Gor the lead in the tenth minute following Collins Sichenje’s defensive error, but the Kakamega High alumnus recovered quickly to avert the danger.

Gor Mahia FC's Geofrey Ochieng (left) and Fabrice Nugheni of AFC Leopards during FKF Premier league match at Kasarani. Feb 7, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Moments later, Nicholas Kipkirui controlled a lofted pass from Muguna in the box, but his shot was well blocked as K’Ogalo pinned Ingwe in their half.

In the 22nd minute Rupia’s shot at the edge of the box went inches wide after receiving a pass from Austin Odhiambo.

Ulimwengu came close to breaking the deadlock on the half-hour mark, but youngster Lewis Bandi made a brilliant goal-line clearance blocking the Burundian’s glancing header before Andrew Juma fouled Rupia at the opposite end only for Austin Odhiambo’s shot to be blocked by Gor’s defensive wall.

Gor had another chance on the stroke of halftime, but Bandi again did well to clear Samuel Onyango’s cutback from the left-wing.

AFC Leopards coach Anthony Kimani made a tactical double substitution on restart bringing on Harrison Mwendwa and Peter Thiong’o for Marvin Nabwire and Austin Odhiambo.

Elvis Rupia of AFC Leopards confronts assistant referee MaryAnne Njoroge against Gor Mahia FC during their FKF Premier League Match at the MISC, Kasarani Stadium on February 7, 2021. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Mwendwa’s impact was felt immediately as he raced down the left flank only for his shot to go wide before Geoffrey Ochieng’s point-blank effort was blocked by Kamura.

Sichenje’s long-range shot then went agonisingly wide on the opposite end before Alpha Onyango forced a superb save from Ochan as Sichenje paved the way for Eugene Mukangula.

John Macharia came on for Ulimwengu in the 62nd minute for Gor Mahia before Clifton Miheso replaced Samuel Onyango.

Ingwe’s best chance of the game came in the 69th minute when Bienvenue Shaka received a pass from Mwendwa, but Shaka blasted wide to the dismay of their technical bench. Immediately, Mwendwa split mind saw him miss a scoring chance.

Moments later, Rupia’s glancing header from Mwendwa’s delivery went wide as Ingwe piled pressure on K’Ogalo’s defence but couldn’t unlock it as the derby ended scoreless.