KPL: Sofapaka slump to third defeat as Leopards claw Top Fry in Mumias

BY FEVERPITCH TEAM

Sofapaka slumped to their third defeat in seven league games as they lost 2-1 to visiting Nairobi City Stars in an exciting Kenyan Premier League match, in Machakos County.

A visibly disappointed Sam Timbe described the match as “the worst performance in the league” he had seen by his players.

“It’s a poor performance and we didn’t deserve to win. We created many scoring chances, but failed to utilise them. I didn’t expect such display today and I am really disappointed. We need to up our game,” said the Ugandan.

Overlapping defender Dennis Ng’ang’a broke the deadlock at Kenyatta Stadium when he rose above his marker to head home Kevin Ochieng’s 20th minute free-kick from the right with Batoto Ba Mungu keeper Barnabas Tiema well beaten.

Five minutes later, Ochieng’ ran down the right wing and delivered a perfect cross in the box that was met with a neat tap-in from lanky Ugandan striker George Abege.

Sofapaka came out in the second half and increased the tempo of the game with early substitute Elly Asieche, Clifton Miheso and Enock Agwanda piling pressure on City Stars defence.

Five minutes from stoppage time, Antony Ndolo pulled a goal back for Batoto after unleashing a brilliant shot in the box. City Stars coach Robert Ndubuisi was pleased with his side’s display and said: “We knew it was going to be a tough match, but I am proud of the boys for beating a big team like Sofapaka.”

In Nairobi, Western Stima piled more misery on KCB by blanking the bankers 3-0  in this KPL match at Nyayo Stadium. Collins Neto opened the scores early in the match with a fifth minute strike scoring directly from a corner kick to put the winners ahead.

The second goal for Stima came in the 45th minute and it was scored by Ugandan international  Shaffik Batambuze.

Veteran striker Wesley Kemboi then added more misery on the bankers with a last minute goal in full time.

In Mumias, AFC Leopards beat Top Fry 1-0 in a KPL encounter played at the Mumias complex stadium.

AFC surprised Top Fry early in the game with a corner kick from Oscar Kadenge that found Jackson Sale in good position to head in the only goal of the game in the 10th minute.

Leopards put on an impressive display, camping in the Top Fry half for the better part of the game with repeated assaults on the losers’ last man who was forced to work over time to save his side.

Leopards, who were missing key players in the encounter, did not look affected by their absence as tactician James Nandwa fielded new players who did not fail to impress.

Leopard missed their chances to up the scores in the second half when Ikena Austin ran circles around the Top Fry defence and shot over the bar.