Sydney Lokale’s stoppage time strike rescues point for AFC Leopards to ease pressure on Trucha

Sydney Lokale’s stoppage time strike rescues point for AFC Leopards to ease pressure on Trucha

Joel Omotto 17:47 - 10.11.2024

AFC Leopards needed a stoppage time equaliser from new signing Sydney Lokale to secure a draw from the jaws of defeat against Mara Sugar.

AFC Leopards’ poor show continued when their winless run extended to four league matches following a 1-1 draw with Mara Sugar on Sunday.

Leopards needed a late goal to salvage a point from the jaws of defeat after Mara Sugar had appeared to be headed to victory.

Meshack Karani broke Leopards’ hearts when he put Mara Sugar ahead after connecting well with Brian Ochieng’s pass in the 43rd minute to take a 1-0 lead at the break and it nearly stayed like that until some late drama.

The goal came against the run of play as Leopards were found napping at the back with the visitors punishing them.

That was after Sydney Lokale, who had returned to the starting XI, missed Leopards’ first opportunity, firing wide after beating his markers in the sixth minute.

Clifton Miheso nearly beat the Mara goalkeeper with a beautiful cross in the 22nd minute but saw the ball go wide before the visitors took the lead.

After the goal, Leopards coach Tomas Trucha made a host of changes with the view of changing the tide but it did not yield much.

However, in time added on, quick thinking from Miheso saw him square the ball to Lokale who scored the equaliser for a share of the spoils.

The draw saved Trucha the blushes somewhat but it was not what the fans were looking for after back-to-back defeats.

It is now two draws and as many losses in their last four games which leaves Ingwe in fourth place on 11 points, six behind leaders KCB.