Gor march on as Sofapaka spoil Tusker party, All Stars hold Chemelil

Sofapaka FC's defender Willis Ouma vies for the ball against Tusker's striker Jessy Were during their KPL match against Tusker FC at Ruaraka Grounds on May 24, 2015.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

Sofapaka maintained their superiority over Tusker beating the brewers 2-1 in Sunday’s Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match at Ruaraka Stadium.

John Barasa scored first for Sofapaka slotting home from the penalty spot in the 50th minute before Ghanian Stephen Owusu equalised for Tusker half an hour later.

Maurice Odipo ensured that Sofapaka won this one after scoring in the 83rd minute

It is a result that left Tusker coach Francis Kimanzi a frustrated man especially as his side succumbed to a second defeat in a row.

“Today, we created so many chances but failed to utilise any of of them. It happens that if you don’t score, the confidence goes down. It looks like a tough season for us and one hopes that the confidence will be back so that we are able to score goals,” said Kimanzi.

Both sides started on low note with their concern more geared towards maintaining possession.

The brewers backed by hundreds of fans, registered the first shot on target with Aziz Kemba releasing a dangerous shot towards goals in the 10th minute,

Two minutes minutes after that, Heritier Luvualu had his shot on target punched for a corner by Farouk Shikhalo in the Tusker goal as action built up in the match.

By the half hour mark, it looked like a balanced affair but within the first few minutes of the second half, it was the brewers who should have been up had they converted all their chances.

But the game swung towards Sofapaka who looked settled and were rewarded with a penalty in the 50th minute when veteran defender James Situma handled the ball while trying to clear the danger. John Barasa stepped up to score from the spot and sent his team ahead.

The lead was to last only 13 minutes, as second half substitute Stephen Owusu netted the equaliser for Tusker but the brewers were heart-broken when Dominic Odipo headed home the winner with seven minutes to go.

In Kisumu, Gor Mahia beat Muhoroni Youth 1-0 with Michael Olunga scoring the only goal in the ninth minute.

Gor Mahia dominated play in every aspect pushing their opponents on the defense for a good part of the match.

Abbas Akinyemi, the stand in captain of Muhoroni Youth, was the first to get a shot on goal in the 21st minute, but his effort was wide.
Ali Abondo could have doubled for Gor Mahia in the 28th minute but his strike from a corner shot was parried away by Kiptoo in goal to hit the crossbar for another fruitless corner.

Muhoroni opted to hold on to possession and dominated the midfield. Gor were happy to chase the ball and the two sides went to the breather with KPL champions leading 1-0.

Both teams looked solid as they battled in the midfield with Collins Okoth in command for Gor. In the 58th minute, Gor’s goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch had to rush out and clear a back pass with Paul Mboya threatening to score.

Muhoroni’s Jeremiah Wanjala was hesitant to strike in the 64th minute after beating Gor Mahia’s offside trap.

The game kept on oscillating from one end to the other with Francis Baraza bringing out Wanjala for Benjamin Mosha. His dribbling prowess helped tame Aucho as the host pushed for the equaliser.

Another defence blunder saw Olunga collect the ball from left corner to cross for Abondo to hit wide in the 78th minute. Gor held on to claim the maximum points with the 1-0 win.

Other results: Nakuru All Stars 2 Chemelil Sugar 2, Bandari 0 Mathare United 0.

-Reports by Chris Musumba, Gilbert Wandera, Rodgers Eshitemi, Ernest Ndunda and Joseph Kipsang