By Robin Toskin
Sofapaka completed a fairytale run as they beat Red Berets to bag the Kenyan Premier League in their first year of participation in the top division.
Two goals from John Baraza and a cracking shot from Zimbabwean Tafadzwa Dondo sealed a remarkable first season for a team initially thought to be also-runs, to win 3-0.
Promoted only this year, Sofapaka have defied all odds to cap a historic achievement, which included beating champions Mathare United and the season’s favourites Tusker.
The club, owned by Congolese businessman Elly Mboni Kalekwa and coached by Robert Matano, needed a point only to seal the championship and they did so in a spell of three minutes of madness as Berets capitulated in front of their fans.
Much as it was a reward for Sofapaka’s consistency on the pitch, it was more of the club’s President’s investment and declaration when they were promoted that they were not joining the premier league just to participate, but to win it. Sofapaka players celebrate with the KPL trophy after beating Red Berets 3-0 in Nakuru, on Saturday. Photo: Stafford Ondego/Standard
And on Saturday, Kalekwa and the club chairman Granton Samboja sat at the VIP rostrum exchanging glances of ‘Yes we have done it’ as they waited for the official presentation of the KPL trophy.
The two were reaping the benefits of their Sh36 million a-year investment in player salaries and allowances.
But any dreams they would do so, went up in smoke after 21 minutes when lethal striker John Baraza held off defender Dickson Ojwang to bury the opener.
Red Berets had got off the blocks the hungry side and danger man Joseph Asuza tested Sofapaka Wilson Oburu from 18 yards although without troubling the international goalkeeper.
Second penalty
Brian Masiola fizzed another effort inches wide before Sofapaka’s midfielders Evans Wandera, James Situma and Abdi Simba wrestled control from the paramilitary men.
Sofapaka’s bench was all nerves, but as it has often been their trusted lieutenants, Bob Mugalia, goalkeeper Wilson Oburu and Patrick ‘Petit’ Kagogo rose to the occasion.
Oburu saved a second penalty in a row and a second against the paramilitary side, a feat that helped Sofapaka take the game by the scruff of its neck.
Red Berets had done everything to stop Matano’s men.
But they were undone as the ball broke through the middle of the area and Baraza, so much of a predator, latched to the ball and held off Dickson Ojwang before burying the opener to the right of despairing Wycliffe Kasaya in Berets’ goal on 21 minutes.
Sofapaka were not done yet as they went for Berets’ jugular when Mugalia found Kagogo on the blind.
Goalkeeper Kasaya made a comic error Kagogo’s well struck attempt as the ball ricocheted off his chest to the waiting boot of Baraza, who finished with aplomb to overhaul Tusker’s Joseph Emeka from the top of goal scorers’ roster.
Red Berets attempted a comeback launching a series of attacks but Oburu did well to snuff them out.
First it was Gabriel Nduro who struck and Oburu punched it over and a minute later the Sofapaka goalkeeper had to scramble across his goal line to tip over a looping header.
They were belated attempts though and Sofapaka run down the clock to cap it with captain James Situma stepping up to lift the a maiden KPL trophy for the league’s new comers.