Sofapaka beat Angola in shoot-outs

By James Waindi

Custodian Zachary Onyango may have conceded two goals in midweek while playing for the national team Harambee Stars against South Africa in an international friendly, but he was the hero for Sofapaka as the 2009 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions beat Angola’s Aviacao 5-4 on penalty kicks.

After tying 0-0 during the first leg in Luanda, Angola, a fortnight ago, Sofapaka needed a straight win against the three times Angolan champions to progress to the next level of the CAF Confederation Cup, but they could not find the back of the net in regular time despite creating a glut of chances.

Goalkeeper Onyango saved three penalty kicks from Jockim Silva, Richard Tuabi and Aviacao’s custodian Gerson Cadete to award Sofapaka a deserved win after skipper James Situma, who was tasked with the responsibility of taking the first shot, made a false start.

Internationals Anthony Kimani, Humprey Miano, Uganda Cranes midfielder Mussa Mude, Abdulatiff Mohammed and John Onami all converted their penalty kicks, but striker Bob Mugalia missed his shot.

Aviacao scored through Pascal Osochio, Feliciano Namba, Angelo Chimpauto and Dominge Casauda.

Police had to intervene and protect the match officials from Aviacao players after the penalty kicks as the players chased the officials around the field protesting against Tanzania referee Waziri Sheha’s decision to allow John Onami take his penalty three times.

The referee claimed that Aviacao custodian was off his line on two occasions.

The win now pits the former KPL against Egypt giants Ismailia in the next stage of the competition and Sofapaka skipper James Situma relishes the fixture, saying it is their best chance to revenge their 2-0 aggregate loss to Ismailia in last year’s Champions League competition.

"The win is a big feat for the team, it was a hard match and I am happy to have come out victorious.

"We will not focus on our next opponents Ismailia for now, because we have a match with KPL champions Ulinzi on February 20 and we have to win it to give us morale as we prepare for the new season," said Sofapaka coach Ezekiel Akwana.

Sofapaka could have been 4-0 up at half time had striker Bob Mugalia and John Baraza not wasted a glut of chances.

Just ten minutes into the match, Mugalia released Baraza, but he could not finish on his weaker right foot despite remaining with the custodian alone.

In the 24th minute Mugalia’s goal-bound header came off his team mate George Owino and the striker missed a pointblank header 10 minutes later to increase frustrations for the local side.