Giants Sofapaka, Sony and Ulinzi Stars labour to secure victory in KPL

Fredrick Onyango of Tusker goes for a tackle against Kelvin Amwayi of Ulinzi Stars during their KPL match at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru yesterday. Ulinzi beat Tusker 1-0. [PHOTO: BONIFACE THUKU/STANDARD]

By Gilbert Wandera, Francis Ontomwa and Ben Ahenda

Substitute Charles Okwemba yesterday saved AFC Leopards blushes with an 80th minute equaliser, which helped his side pick a point in a 1-1 draw against  Nairobi City Stars at Nyayo National Stadium.

John Makwata had put City Stars ahead in the 65th minute when he out-ran a sluggish Leopards defence to shoot his side ahead.

However, Leopards raided on all four cylinders in search of an equaliser. The team won a corner, which Okwemba headed home.

Leopards were the more urgent side in the opening minutes of the match and enjoyed plenty of possession with City Stars preferring to stay back and catch their opponents on counter-attacks.

It was Leopards who won the first corner when Edwin Seda’s effort was blocked by  Andrew Ongwae. The resultant corner was taken by Peter Opiyo but Ronny Kagunzi put his hand on the ball just inches from a waiting Jonas Nahimana head.

Four minutes later, Justus Basweti’s shot flew off target after being set up by Jimmy Bagaye.

City Stars had their first corner at the half hour mark when Bagaye’s effort was parried by Patrick Matasi and it proved that the Kawangware side were determined to get something from the fixture.

extra work

Veteran defender John Amboko was forced to work extra hard to stop Allan Wanga on two occasions as the match headed to the break.

First he cleared a cut back cross from Paul Were with Wanga waiting to shoot home and then he blocked Wanga’s goal bound shot for a corner.

Five minutes to the breather, Leopards captain Martin Imbalambala collected a loose ball outside City Stars’ box before releasing a ferocious shot that was deflected for a corner by Arthur Museve.

In Nakuru, Ulinzi Stars survived a late onslaught from Champions Tusker to snatch three crucial points after a 1-0 victory at Afraha Stadium. Striker Oliver Ruto scored the all important goal after 32 minutes of play from a goalmouth scramble beating Tusker goalkeeper Samuel Odhiambo with a tricky  shot.

The goal unsettled the Champions in the midfield compartment with Fred Onyango and Ali Abondo failing to click. This allowed Ulinzi strikers Oscar Wamalwa and Kevin Amwayi to dominate.

In second half, Tusker rested Andrew Murunga for striker Michael Olunga and the change brought new speed in their game. But Ulinzi kept their ground to clinch the win.

Ulinzi coach Salim Ali rued missed chances but was happy to collect maximum points.

 “We have played more than two matches in a week resulting in fatigue on my players although I have had a problem with my finishing. However, scoring four goals in two matches  against Karuturi Sports and Tusker is no mean achievement,” he said in a postmatch interview.

At Thika Municipal Stadium new Sony Sugar coach Zedekiah Otieno registered his first win since rejoining the club when he led his team to a 1-0 win over the host team.

Former Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Sofapaka FC laboured to tilt the scales winning with a slim 1-0 margin against hosts Kakamega Homeboyz at Bukhungu Stadium.

Defender Felly Mulumba scored for Sofapaka in the 24th minute after crossing in a Bernard Mang’oli’s corner kick from the left flank.

Homeboyz Coach Edward Manoah rued the loss. “We still have matches ahead to prove our worth. The team played well but luck eluded us,” said Manoah.