DENTED AMBITIONS: Sofapaka draw as Leopards add to Top Fry relegation woes in Nakuru

AFC Leopards and Thika United picked maximum points yesterday in their Kenyan Premier League (KPL) matches.

Leopards stopped Nakuru Top Fry 2-0 at Afraha Stadium while Thika beat visiting Bandari 3-1.

In Awendo, Sofapaka came from a goal down to share the spoils with Sony Sugar after their match ended in a 2-2 tie.
Felly Mulumba scored in the 74th minute as the visiting side had to come twice from behind to claim the point that did little to help their title aspirations.

Needing a win to move closer to leaders Gor Mahia, Sofapaka soon found themselves a goal down in the 29th minute after Kennedy Odiwuor slotted the ball past David Okello in Sofapaka’s goal.
And it soon got from bad to worse in the 40th minute when Samuel Onyango pounced on a loose ball just outside the area before beating Okello to double the hosts’ advantage.

The Nairobi-based side however managed to pull one back on the stroke of half-time when former Sony striker Enock Agwanda beat Lucas Indeche to make it 2-1.

In the second half, Sofapaka dominated possession and were soon on level terms after Mulumba’s shot beat Indeche.
At Afraha Stadium, the loss all but ended any hopes by All Stars to survive relegation as they remain at the bottom of the log with 16 points from 26 points and will need a miracle to survive.

Leopards were lifted by goals from Humphrey Mieno and Jacob Keli as they moved to 31 points on the log and further away from relegation.
The win comes just a week after Leopards came from two goals down to edge out Tusker 3-2 in a GOtv shield quarter final match and coach Pitier De Jongh said it is a result that keeps them firmly focussed on an impressive finish.

“We were determined to win this one and the boys showed hunger and determination all through. We dominated and used our chances well.”

Leopards started more strongly with James Situma’s well taken free kick going just wide early on.

Two successive corners before the quarter-hour mark proved Leopard’s dominance as the All-Stars back-line worked hard not to concede early.

However, there was no stopping Leopards in the 16th minute as Humphrey Mieno stepped up to score from the penalty spot after an All Stars defender handled in his danger zone.

Tony Nyagor then failed to equalise for Stars in the 20th minute with his effort being stopped by Patrick Matasi in goal. Nine minutes before the break, Bernard Okeyo’s well taken free kick went over the Leopards goal bar.

Leopards rested Timona Wanyonyi for Jacob Keli in a move that gave them more punch upfront and the former KCB hit man scored the second goal in injury time to ensure the visitors picked all three points.

The results in Awendo saw Sofapaka suffer a major set-back in their title ambitions as they move to 47 points on the log. This is five less than leaders Gor who hammered City Stars 4-1 on Saturday.

-Reports by Gilbert Wandera, Nick Oluoch and Ben Ahenda