A goalless stalemate in the coastal heat leaves Ingwe three points adrift of leaders Gor Mahia, as Bandari’s goalkeeper Allaine Ngeleka produces a masterclass to deny the visitors.

The heat at Mbaraki Sports Club is unforgiving, but for AFC Leopards, the real burn came from a scoreboard that refused to tick over. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-13)In a 0-0 draw that felt more like two points dropped than one gained, Ingwe’s title charge hit a humid wall against a resolute Bandari FC. Head coach Fred Ambani, still smarting from the shock Mozzart Bet Cup exit to BB Bread, watched his side dominate possession but fail to find the killer touch.

The "So What?"

This result leaves Leopards on 37 points, three behind eternal rivals Gor Mahia. In the razor-thin margins of the FKF Premier League, draws are the silent killers of title dreams. While Gor Mahia continues to grind out results, Leopards are letting moments of dominance slip through their fingers—a trend that could extend their 28-year wait for the league crown.

A Tale of Two Keepers

While Leopards controlled the tempo, the narrative belonged to Bandari goalkeeper Allaine Ngeleka. The custodian was a one-man barrier, denying clear-cut chances from Victor Omune and the returning Ovella Ochieng. Ambani, usually critical of wastefulness, refused to throw his players under the bus this time.

"I cannot blame my players," Ambani conceded post-match. "They gave their best, but Bandari's goalkeeper was on top of his game. We created the moments, but he stole them."

The Tactical Gridlock

• Defensive Discipline: Bandari boss Bernard Mwalala set up a low block that frustrated Leopards' midfield creativity.
• The Heat Factor: The sluggish pace in the second half played into the hands of the hosts, who are acclimated to the coastal conditions.
• Missed Opportunity: With Gor Mahia facing a tough run of fixtures, this was the weekend to close the gap to a single point.

The Road Ahead

Leopards must now regroup for a high-stakes clash against Sofapaka. The pressure is mounting on Ambani to turn "good performances" into ruthless wins. As the team bus wound its way back to Nairobi, the silence likely spoke louder than any locker room team talk: in a title race, "almost" is never enough.