NAIROBI, March 13 – Ugandan Allan Kateregga delivered a debut goal for AFC Leopards to rescue a 1-1 draw with bogey team Chemelil Sugar in a SportPesa Premier League match played at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.
The stalemate saw unbeaten Leopards fail to extend their lead at the summit ahead of the two-week international break to drop second on 11 points, same as leaders Mathare United who have a better goal difference.
Mathare beat Thika United 1-0 courtesy of Obadiah Ndege’s 70th minute goal, to take his tally to four and jointly lead the goal scorer chart with Muhoroni Youth’s Wycliffe Ochomo.
In Machakos, Tusker FC came from behind twice to salvage a point in their 2-2 draw against Ushuru whilst Musa Mudde was on target to hand GOtv Shield champions Bandari 1-0 win over hosts Sofapaka.
All the focus was in Nairobi where Leopards were seeking to pick their second win against Chemelil in 12 Premier League meetings but the visitors did well to extend the wait.
Ingwe were sharp from the start but the Sugar Millers went ahead against the run of play on the stroke of half-time thanks to Dennis Okangi’s diving header from Willis Ouma inviting cross.
Leopards were off the blocks first after nine minutes of play with Simon Abuko’s effort going over, just after Kepha Aswani had flicked over from Yussuf Juma’s set-piece.
Chemelil keeper Samuel Odhiambo was forced to stretch fully to tip away Kateregga’s dangerous free-kick in the 21st minute before Lamin Diallo fluffed his close range chance.
The visitors got their first opportunity just after the half hour mark, when Jared Obwoge picked a loose ball inside the box only for the former Gor Mahia forward to strike a wild shot.
Seven minutes later, Leopards custodian Lukas Indeche was alert to keep away Ouma’s thunderous free-kick.
Leopards head coach Ivan Minnaert introduced Andrew Tololwa for Abuko on the restart with the changes seeing Kateregga moving to the wing while the former Tusker FC striker played in the middle.
It took17 minutes for the hosts to draw level when Juma took a run on the right to curl in a cross which forced Odhiambo to parry away with the rebound meeting Kateregga, who wasted no time to tap home the equalizer.