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AFC Leopards were unable to register a win in their 2023/24 Football Kenya Federation Premier League season-opening game after they were held to a 0-0 draw by FC Talanta on Sunday, August 26, 2023.

Talanta wasted two chances in the first half that would have easily broken the deadlock in a game that had been more physical since the first whistle was blown.

Wasted chances

Cliff Nyakeya, who is among the new players at the Den after he returned to the club from Police FC, was unable to score in the early moments of the second half. Despite a brilliant solo run, the forward could not beat Ian Omondi, who made a vital block to save his side from going down.

Four minutes after the second half had started, Ingwe had another chance to get an opener, but Kevin Kimani was unable to find the back of the net with a free kick from a promising position.

Talanta goalkeeper Isaiah Wakasala was alert when his opposite number, Maxwell Mulili, attempted a long pass that, had the Talanta custodian ignored it, would have easily landed in the net.

Talanta were reduced to 10 men when Lucas Waitere was dismissed for a second bookable offense. The offense that saw him sent off was when he obstructed AFC Leopards’ new signing Yasin Sije just at the edge of the penalty box.

Brian Yakhama could not connect well with a pinpoint pass from Nyakeya late in the second half, and that meant another goal-scoring chance for AFC Leopards was wasted.

Sije came close to breaking the deadlock in the 86th minute, but he launched a shot from a promising position that ended up going by inches.

Another team buildup that involved Luke Namanda, Sije, and Washington Munene did not deliver the expected result, as Wakasala was alert to stop the Leopards’ forwards from causing havoc.

Shabana stunned

Meanwhile, Shabana narrowly lost their match against Murang’a Seal at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay.

The two sides, after engaging in a tight contest in the National Super League last season, were promoted to the top flight, and it was Seal who managed to grab three points in their first game of the new season.

Batts Awita, a second-half substitute, scored the all-important goal for Seal, who claimed a 1-0 win in stoppage time.

Meanwhile, Jon Kiplamet made the first goal-scoring attempt, but his fierce shot went out by inches.

Nehemia Onchiri had the first chance for Shabana, but he failed to find the net as he blasted wide from close range in the 19th minute.

Brian Michira wasted a huge chance to give Shabana the lead in the 44th minute, and another chance to break the deadlock came in the 53rd minute, but Onchiri sent his effort wide.

Chances for Shabana were coming fast and furious, but the NSL champions were not lethal in front of goal. Peter Ongechi and Isaac Otieno could not score with their chances that came late in the second half.

After withstanding pressure from Shabana for the better part of the second half, Seal finally managed to score when Awita headed into the net in added time.

Other results

Meanwhile, Posta Rangers and Bidco United shared goals after a goalless draw, as Nairobi City Stars denied Muhoroni Youth three points after a stalemate.