Tusker held by AFC Leoprads in a thrilling TPL tie

By Fred Maingi in Nairobi

Tusker Premier League(TPL) defending Champions Tusker FC were held to
a barren draw by AFC Leopards in a thrilling late kick off tie staged
at the Nyayo National Stadium on Friday  night.
  The highly charged tie was graced by newly appointed Harambee Stars
head coach Henri Michel, his two deputies and top sports dignitaries.
   AFC Leopards hard tackling defender Eric Masika was voted the most
valuable player (MVP) after the final whistle.He was handed a portable
Walka television in recognition of his outstanding performance.
   Barely after 11th minute, Joseph Shikokoti got on the end of a long
throw-in from the right, touched it, before Joseph Emeka got it to
send a powerful header goalwards. Matasi did well to pick the ball.
  After a series of missed chances in the first half, Allan Wanga came
close to scoring in the 50th minute from Mike Barasa combination but
his rasping shot went few inches wide.
   In the 76th minute, Leopards defender Edwin Wafula ran unchallenged
in the right wing, before beating Tusker defenders Humphrey Okoti and
David Ochieng but his tricky shot almost hit the side netting.
  Tusker went close in the 76th and 81st minute through Joseph Emeka
and Ken Wendo but they powered their efforts over the bar. Leopards
Charles Okwemba freekick in the 80th minute almost yielded a goal but
Allan Wanga could not score as he was tightly marked by a forest of
legs in the danger zone.
    Earlier in the 79th minute, Leopards fans felt cheated by referee
Isaac Ochieng who failed to award Ingwe a spotkick after Wanga was
badly tackled inside the danger zone by Okoti.
  Tusker picked three yellow cards in the half, against AFC’s none.
After the draw, the two teams are at the top of the league, with AFC,
who have 45 points, taking the premier position and Tusker coming in
four points behind.
   Tusker coach Robert Matano and his AFC Leopards counterpart Jan
Koops separately agreed the match was tough adding that a draw a fair
result.
  Leopards next match is against Western Stima at Bukhungu Stadium
while Tusker face an acid test on Wednesday September 12 when they
take on Sofapaka in a mid-week KPL clash at the Nyayo National
Stadium.