Murang’a Seal hold out for crucial point against Sharks as Ingwe hand Police first defeat in 2024

Murang'a Seal ended their two-match losing run as they grabbed what could be a crucial point following a barren stalemate against Kariobangi Sharks on Wednesday afternoon at the SportPesa Arena.

The first half produced a tactical masterclass between the sides with Seal staying disciplined in their roles so as to counter the fluid movement from the technically gifted Sharks youngsters.

While the hosts employed a man vs man approach to the game, Sharks, who would always get the majority of the possession, tried to break down the low block that came their way as early as the first minute.

Determined not to press high up, Abdallah Juma's Seal resorted to leaving Sharks with the ball as they looked to pounce on any mistakes.

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That scenario nearly handed them the lead just six minutes in, when John Kiplangat, fortuitously, rolled his marker inside the box before coming up straight against Sebastian Wekesa in goal.

The burly striker however failed to finish the job at hand as his effort was straight at the keeper who was very lucky to see the game remain scoreless as his parried effort rolled straight to the diminutive Maxwell Odada who saw his well-struck effort unfortunately cannoning off the crossbar.

By then, the flow of the game had been set. Sharks would have the ball as they tried to be clever in their play while a traditional Seal would stick to defending their area and hoping to be clinical in their attacking forays.

Twice, Sharks threatened to open the scoring through in-form John Mark Makwatta and Steve Mbulere but wayward finishing and too many ideas in the respective circumstances ensured the deadlock remained intact.

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Seal had the better chances but a lack of cutting edge in front of goal ensured the two teams went into the break on even stevens.

At the start of the second half, Sharks added more firepower to their arsenal as head coach William Muluya brought on attacking midfielder Fortune Omoto in place of Victor Ngume as he aimed to prise open the resolute Seal defense.

That substitution almost had an instant impact when Omoto wriggled his way past three Seal players only for his shot to be saved. However, the idea to bring him on was made evident with that special moment.

As the time ticked on, the game broke into an open contest with both teams pushing for an opener and especially trying to hit on the counter but as time trickled, there was still nothing doing on the scores.

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With six minutes of regular time left to play, Bonphas Munyasa pulled a fantastic reflex save to deny Makwatta in a moment that proved to be the most important as it ended up saving a point for Seal in the game.

Elsewhere, AFC Leopards managed to hand Kenya Police their first defeat in 2024 when Patrick Matasi's second half howler at the Dandora Stadium put paid the law administrators' thirteen match unbeaten streak (W10 D3).

In another match, Sofapaka jumped out of the relegation places after a precious 2-1 win over Posta Rangers at the Machakos Stadium.

Goals by Darius Msagha and Rodgers Kipkemoi helped Batoto ba Mungu move out of the relegation places that sucked Shabana who drew 1-1 with FC Talanta.

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