Chemelil secure win: Western Stima stun Top Fry Nakuru in another KPL tie

By Bosco Magare  and BEN AHENDA

 Chemelil Sugar stunned Sofapaka 1-0 in a fast-paced Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match staged at Chemelil Sports Complex stadium.

Both started the match on a high note with much of the action concentrated at the midfield as Chemelil Sugar fans cheered on their side thirsty for early goals.

Chemelil Sugar mounted pressure on their opponents as they took the game to their half, with Sofapaka happy to soak up pressure and respond through counter attacks with the trio of Enock Agwanda, John Baraza and Clifton Miheso making the most of the situation.

Undeterred, Chemelil Sugar continued probing and their efforts were rewarded in the 26th minute with diminutive Gerson Likono scoring the all important goal of the match.

Superb strike

Likono blasted the ball past Sofapaka custodian Dancan Ochieng’ after connecting a crossbar rebound from Chemelil Sugar’s new signing David Nyanzi. the goal energised the local fans as they sung on for their team.

After the break, Sofapaka made early forays within the Chemelil Sugar goalmouth through Baraza, Agwanda and Miheso, but their effors were thwarted by hawk-eyed defenders James Omino ‘Taller’, Charles Odero and Willice Ouma. The backline successfully shielded custodian Jairus Adira from any direct attacks.

Chemelil Sugar counter-attacked with Likono unleashing a powerful shot in the 62nd minute but it was not strong enough to beat Sofapaka goalkeeper Ochieng’. The visitors benched Antonu Kimani bringing in Elly Asieche.

Hit crossbar

Two minutes later, Likono’s teammate Stephen Wakanya fastened on overlapping defender Willice Ouma’s  right-flank cross  but his effort hit the crossbar.

Chemelil Sugar’s Smith Ouko also unleashed a soaring shot that hit the crossbar as the miller’sdominated Sofapaka in the dying minutes.

With no chance of breaking through the water tight Chemelil defence, Sofapaka resorted to rough game as they engaged in contact marking, which saw Agwanda and Asieche get yellow-cards from centre referee George Mwai.

In Nakuru, Top Fry crisis depeened as they lost again, this time 2-1 against Western Stima. This was the fourth consecutive defeat for Top Fry All Stars.

The Nakuru based side scored their first goal of the tournament through Erastus Mwaniki after 35 minutes, an equaliser after Western Stima had drawn the first blood in the 22nd minute.

Western Stima’s Fredrick Shimoni capitalised on poor clearence by  Top Fry custodian Evans Omondi to slot home. John Omuse scored the winner in the 70th minute.