KCB and AFC Leopards draw blanks in Thika

AFC Leopards Lewin Mandi dribling ball during FKF Premier league match against KCB at Thika Stadium on Saturday, October 16, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

KCB will wait longer to register their first win of the season after they were held to a 0-0 draw by AFC Leopards in their FKF Premier League early-kickoff match played at Thika Stadium on Saturday.

The bankers drew blanks despite creating a host of chances in the match as Ingwe’s bid to catch up with leaders Bandari went up in smokes.

The draw leaves Leopards joint second in the log with four points after two matches alongside Sofapaka.

The Bankers went into the game on the back of their 2-1 defeat to Gor Mahia in their season opener before the Fifa international break while Ingwe had shocked champions Tusker 1-0.

In the match, KCB started the game on the front foot when an early attack in the opening minute saw them awarded a corner where Robert Mudenyu attempt to beat Ingwe keeper Maxwell Mulili was unsuccessful.

In the 22nd minute, KCB danger man Derrick Otanga forced a nice save from Mulili after leaving dead his two markers before unleashing a low footed effort which the Ingwe custodian punched out for a corner.

Three minutes later, Lewis Bandi delivered another cross from the corner and Peter Thiong’o directed his shot towards goal but it hit the woodwork and bounced out for a goal-kick for Leopard's first real chance.

At the half-hour mark, KCB’s Joseph Mazembe’s superb header forced a finger-tip save from Mulili, who dived to put the ball out for another corner.

The two teams went into the half-time break tied at 0-0 and after the resumption, Ingwe looked more lively as Marvin Omondi almost broke the deadlock with a well-taken effort but it went inches wide in a one on one encounter with KCB keeper Andika.

Six minutes later, KCB should have taken the lead after Otanga combined well with Henry Onyango but the latter would drive the ball over the bar.

AFC Leopards coach Patrick Aussems made a double change introducing Samuel Mwangi and Michael Oduor in place of Brian Ochieng and Curtis Wekesa while the Bankers pulled out Brian Ochieng for Ezekiel Mbithi.

The changes would however bore no fruit for either side who went on to share the spoils.

KCB starting XI: Gabriel Andika, E. Baraka, S. Ambulu, N. Alembi, R. Kamura, M. Mutinda, C. Wekesa, B. Ndenga, Derrick Otanga, H. Onyango and J. Mazembe.

AFC Leopards: M. Mulili, Lewis Bandi, Washington Munene, Robert Mudenyu, Isaac Kipyegon, Eugene Mukangula, Boniface Mukhekhe, Marvin Omondi, Peter Thiong’o, B. Wanyama, and D, Sunguti,