Sofapaka strike KRA: Thika United claim 2-1 win over hosts KCB

By JOSEPH MAMBILI and Tony Owori

Sofapaka increased their point tally to ten after beating KRA in a Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match played at Nyayo National Stadium yesterday.

Cliffton Miheso put Sofapaka ahead in the second minute, Enock Agwanda doubled the lead in the 66th and Humfreys Mieno made it 3-0 at the stroke of full time.

Miheso side footed his markers in the danger zone to gift Sofapaka their first goal after two minutes of game. In first half, either side played with purpose with both ends recording missed chances.

KRA striker Joseph Emeka and Joseph Mulume kept on toes Sofapaka defence cutting into their wall but lack of precision and creativity resulted to wasted chances.

Sofapaka on other hand threatened on both flanks with Agwanda on right and Danson Kago on the left flank sending crosses to John Barasa and Mieno, who kept KCB goalkeeper Philip Odhiambo busy.

On 44th minute, Barasa passed Agwanda a fine cross but he tapped weakly to KRA custodian.

Sofapaka began second half purposeful with Kago, who was later replaced by Elli Asieche, shooting wide on the top right corner.

Panic gripped KRA midway second half as they misplaced passes, diving into tackles and showing no good shape back and forward.

In the 66th minute, Edwin Misiko fouled Barasa in the penalty area, with Agwanda netting the second goal from the spot.

Two minutes later, Barnabas Tiema, Sofapaka custodian alertness was tested with Roosevelt Blatty’s low shot, which he saved for a corner.

However, deep into the injury time, Agwanda made a good run on the left flank tapping a low cross to Mieno who slammed the ball into the floor of the net with a low shot.

At the Ruaraka grounds, Thika United had to fight hard to beat KCB 2-1.

There was no goals in the first half, but after 53 minutes of play, young star Michel Olunga displayed individual brilliance dribbling past two KCB defenders before unleashing a hard low drive to beat KCB goalkeeper.

KCB regrouped and went forward in search on an equaliser. Paul Kiongera piled pressure on Thika United’s defence and captain Denis Odhiambo failed to clear a cross and instead directed the ball into his own net to gift the bankers an equaliser on the 65 minute.

However, the milkmen made sure they collected three points playing offensively. Their efforts was rewarded when KCB defender Bernard Oduor brought down Wycliffe Opondo in the 18 yard box with two minutes to the final whistle and the centre referee awarded a penalty. Thika United captain Denis Odhiambo scored from the spot to redeem himself.

From the start, it looked a balanced match as both teams kept their possession while trying to find the breakthrough.

Thika United made their first strike after 21 minutes of play through Wycliffe Opondo.