Sofapaka Toppled

By Mutwiri Mutuota

Sofapaka’s swaggering unbeaten run came to a sudden end in Bandari as table-propping AFC Leopards finally showed signs of recovery in a bumper Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Easter action.

As Christians worldwide celebrated the Passion of Christ and his resurrection, Western Stima, who survived the axe in their final game last season were rejoicing at sitting atop the league on 17 points, two clear of the chasing pack, after a 1-0 stuffing of Red Beret at their Bukhungu fortress.

Now third, Sofapaka (15 points) missed the chance to maintain the KPL lead when Abdulwahab Musa converted a Mohamed Shukri cross in the 38th minute to earn the port side a crucial victory that propelled them to ninth.

At Nairobi’s Coca-Cola Stadium, basement club AFC Leopards displayed the neat passage of play that brought them eleven league titles in years past but profligacy in front of goal denied them victory against a subdued KCB.

"It’s time my players stood up and converted chances that come their way," Edward Manoah said.

"I’m impressed with the way we are growing as a family since they are still a young team, but these are the kind of matches we should be winning if we hope to survive," Leopards coach, Manoah told FeverPitch.

Defensive lapse

Manoah sat perplexed when KCB keeper, Daniel Oluoch, pushed Michael Njihia’s 30th minute spot kick to the post before his side conceded in the 74th minute to substitute Jacob Keli after a defensive lapse.

"At the end, it was encouraging to see the boys recover from the goal to equalise and it shows there is spirit in the team and soon, we will start turning things around," Manoah charged as Leopards remained the only KPL team not to register a win this season.

Sun-Soaked Sunday

"Credit to Leopards, they played very well but I’m happy we got away with a point from a match we were second best. We will be back to our flowing football soon," KCB coach Leonard Saleh added.

He decried the standards of officiating in KPL matches, saying, "These referees are trying, but they are incompetent. KPL needs to resolve their problems with FKL so that quality referees can be allowed to handle league matches."

It was not a Good Friday for Gor coach, James Siang’a, who had to be rescued by police from irate fans when his side fell 2-1 to Nairobi City Stars.

Gor (seven points) are now second from bottom ahead of AFC — how times change, the two well supported clubs used to follow each other in days gone by at the top of the table.

RESULTS:

Gor Mahia 1 City Stars 2, AFC Leopards 1 KCB 1, Western Stima 1 Red Berets 0, Bandari 1 Sofapaka 0, Tusker 1 Agro Chemicals 0, Ulinzi Stars 0 Sony Sugar 0, Chemelil Sugar 1 Sher Karuturi 1, Thika United 0 Mathare United 0

 

 

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