10-man Sharks rally to deny Leopards

Whyvonne Isuza scored perhaps one of the fastest goals this season but AFC Leopards failed to keep that momentum as 10-man Kariobangi Sharks rallied to draw 1-1 on Wednesday.

Isuza blasted the visitors into the lead just seconds in when he rolled the into an empty net after Paul Were had done well to draw  goalkeeper Jairus Adira off his lines before laying it on a plate for his teammate.

Ian Taita was red carded for a dangerous tackle on defender Isaac Kipyegon but Sharks defied their numerical disadvantage to equalize deep into stoppage time through George Abege.

Ulinzi Stars defeated Vihiga United 1-0 thanks to Enosh Ochieng’s first half strike while Chemelil Sugar came from a goal down to defeat KCB FC 2-1 at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos. Nzoia Sugar and Western Stima settled for a barren draw in the matchday’s other fixture.

Leopards were the better side right from the start and were rewarded for their desire when Isuza received Were’s pass and simply placed into the back of an unguarded net.

Yusuf Mainge thought was guilty of squandering the chance to put Leopards 2-0 up when he shot just wide off the mark after he had been teed up by Brian Marita.

At the hour mark it seemed like the degree of animosity in the field of play had clouded the players’ judgement and in the 64th minutes Sharks were reduced to ten men after Ian Taita’s lousy tackle on Isaac Kipyegon.

Ten minutes later, Leopards were at it again, Isuzza behind a promising attack on the Sharks back line but defender Bodo Michael came to the rescue of Sharks goalie.

In the 75th minute, Were set the entire stadium on the edge of their seats after he beat multiple defenders on the left flank to squeeze a pass to his teammates lined up on the Sharks goal area but none of them was well placed to tap in.

Sharks wasted perhaps their best chance to level scores when substitute Abege directed a series of close range back to back shots on goalie Adira but none of them was well placed to beat the AFC Leopards custodian.

The dying minutes of the game saw the trailing side  put their best foot forward and their tough grind would have paid off in the 87th minute after Duke Abuya took a powerful shot just outside the box but it veered of the post.

George Abege turned tables at the whistle, George Abege finding the back of the net to level the scores.

                                                                   SUMMARISED RESULTS