Sofapaka lose shield as Leopards make Gotv Cup finals, to meet Gor Mahia

Nairobi City Star’s Simon Ogutu controls the ball as Bandari’s Raphael Okello closes in during their KPL match at the Nyayo National Stadium. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

By Gilbert Wandera, Rodgers Eshitemi and Ben Ahenda

AFC Leopards continued their dominance over Sofapaka beating the 2009 League champions 2-0 in the Gotv Shield semis, to book a final date with rivals Gor Mahia, at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

It was Leopards’ third win of the season against Batoto Ba Mungu having stunned them 3-0 and 1-0 in the league encounters. Leopards scored in both halves through Allan Wanga and Noah Wafula and revived their chances of bouncing back to continental football.

Ingwe faithful were on their feet in the 39th minute when on form Wanga capitalised on Duncan Ochieng’s goalkeeping error, tapping the ball into an empty net after the Harambee Stars custodian missed to clear a long ball inside the box.

Leopards could have doubled the lead in the 44th minute, but Paul Were’s shot directly into Ochieng’s hands. Sofapaka responded immediately, but Johnstone Bagoole’s header in the 45th minute went wide.

On resumption, Batoto Ba Mungu took no time to get into their passing stride dominating the possession as they searched for an equaliser, but Leopards sat back to defend.

New blood

However, in 50th minute, the game tempo changed when  Sofapaka brought in Elley Asieche for Patrick Kagogo, though it bore any fruits for the losing side. A few minutes later, Antony Muki Kimani’s attempt from the left hit the bar resulting into a fruitless corner.

Kimani had an opportunity to level the score again in the 70th minute, but shot directly into Martin Musalia’s hands.

With five minutes to stoppage time, Were raced down on the left wing and released a through ball for Wafula to unleash a screamer and seal the convincing victory for Leopards. Leopards had more chances but never took them. Head coach James Nandwa was happy witht he result.

“A third win against Sofapaka is great. I thank the boys for their fighting spirit that’s like a final to us and we played our hearts out. We are meeting Gor Mahia with no pressure because it seems they have already won the title. Our target is to remain focused, win all the remaining matches and wait for the continental assignment,” said Nandwa.

Big reward

Apart from representing the country in next year’s CAF Confederations Cup, the winners will pocket Sh2 million with the first and second runners-up getting Sh750,000 and Sh500,000 respectively.

In the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Nairobi City Stars and Bandari shared one point each when they met at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.

However, City Stars lifted the Mashujaa Day trophy after winning 5-4 on post-match penalties.

The match doubled up as the Mashujaa Day Cup and KPL fixture. Speaking afterwards City Stats coach Jan Koops said he was happy with the single point his side picked as well as the trophy.

“The point was important for us and considering that it will help us in our ambitions to finish among the top eight,” he said.

In Nakuru, Ulinzi Stars escaped from the jaws of Western Stima when they came from a goal down to force a 1-1 draw at Afraha Stadium.

Stima scored first in the 42nd minute through Fredrick Nyarambo. In the second half, Ulinzi who played their hearts out equalised through captain Evans Amuoka in the 63rd minute.