Posta and Leopards draw blanks at Nyayo

Posta Rangers and AFC Leopards fought to a barren draw in an entertaining SportPesa Premier League duel at the Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.

The draw denied Rangers an opportunity to move up to second above Mathare United who were held to a 2-2 draw by Western Stima in the first game of the double header at the same venue.

Leopards fashioned the first scoring chance in the 18th from a move started by  Cresten Mwanzo who played Allan Kateregga in midfield.

He in turn worked the ball to Clifton Miheso on the left and the latter released Andrew Tololwa in the box but his shot was repelled by Posta defenders.

A minute later Simon Abuko ran fast on the left before sending a fine cross across goal but Kepha Aswani could not apply the finishing touch.

Rangers best opportunity  of the half came in the 25th, when striker Timothy Otieno, on loan from Gor Mahia, curled in a glorious cross into the box to find an unmarked Joseph Nyaga who twanged the woodowrk with Ingwe’s keeper, Lucas Indeche out of position.

Two minutes later, Joseph Mbugi threatened with a low shot outside the box but Indeche was well on it.

Three minutes to the break, Aswani bore down in goal in search for the first but Patrick Matasi,  the Posta custodian who was playing against his former club, raced out to beat the forward to the ball that Diallo had rolled into the box.

The bar was rattled for a second time in the final minute of the half this time to deny Aswani as the teams went in level at 0-0.

Chances were at premium in the second half with centre referee, Israel Mpaima, cautioning both coaches -Ingwe’s Ivan Minnaert first then Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno- for their vicious protests against his decisions on the touchline.

With 15 minutes to go, Zico introduced Calvin Odongo for Nyaga and Gearson Likono for Edwin Mwaura in a double change while Minnaert rested ineffective Diallo with Geoffrey Ouma.

Posta dominated possession in the closing stages with the addition of Oscar Mbugua who came off the bench for Otieno failing to inspire the goal Posta needed.

The result saw the mailmen reclaim third spot from champions Gor Mahia on 21 points, three off the lead as Leopards fell to sixth -two adrift of Sunday’s opponents.