AFC Leopards beat Sofapaka as Mathare United hold KCB

By Gilbert Wandera, Francis Ontomwa and Bosco Magare

Kenya: AFC Leopards pipped Sofapaka 1-0 Sunday in Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match played at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani.

The win pushed Leopards to third on the log. Peter Opiyo scored the only goal of the match in the 57th minute to give his side all three points.

It was Leopards who showed early intent forcing a fifth minute corner as pressure weighed down on their opponents.

Then in the eighth minute free, kick specialist Abdalla Juma watched in disbelief as his effort went inches wide. Three minutes later Michael Khamati, with a beautiful turn, should have put Leopards infront but his effort was too high.

At the quarter hour mark, Sofapaka appeared to be finding their footing in the game and won a corner from a goal bound effort which was however wasted.

After this it was a see-saw battle with chances swinging from one part of the pitch to the other.

Noah Wafula’s effort in the 24th minute went off the mark and Hillary Echesa watched in disbelief as his shot crawled inches wide from the target in the 36th minute.

Earlier, Mathare United and KCB fought to a 2-2 draw in a thrilling match also played at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

The bankers were the first to go ahead in the 37th minute when Tyrus Omondi put them ahead with a beautiful curve from the edge of United box.

United took half an hour to get the equaliser through Francis Ouma who slid home a Keneth Wendo pass.

Wendo then put United ahead in the 84th minute after heading home an Osborne Monday corner kick.

But just as United thought they had it all wrapped up, John Odhiambo spoiled the party for them with an injury time goal that ensured the two teams shared the spoils.

The bankers had a higher possession early on in the first half with Jacob Keli and Clifford Alwanga giving their markers plenty of problems. However it was United who had the first chance to go ahead though Gabriel Nduru failed to finish off a Wendo through ball.

Keli had the first chance to put KCB ahead after the quarter-mark but he was stopped by the United goalkeeper. Then the bankers had two quick corners, which their opponents defended well but it was clear KCB were the better side.

The second half of this match was evenly balanced and both sides had opportunities to win but in the end a point was still enough for either side.

Elsewhere, Western Stima unleashed dazzling performance at Bukhungu Stadium Sunday to silence visiting Thika United 4-0.

Stima was literally a live wire as they commanded possession throughout the clash and it was Captain George Wesa who shook the nets first in the 16th minute with a header.

Veteran player Dennis Onkangi proved his mettle and on several occasions was a thorn in the flesh to the Thika defence scoring twice in 58th and 74th minutes.

Daniel Onyango scored in the 79th minute to wrap the score.

Stima tactician Francis Baraza praised his boys for the victory and predicted a better performance in subsequent fixtures.

In Nyanza, Chemelil Sugar got their revenge against Bandari as the run to a 2-0 win in Chemelil Sunday. Chemelil had lost to Bandari by the same margin in the first leg encounter.

Lanky striker Jared Obwoge notching the opener getting a pass from Tonny Opondo to ram the ball past Bandari custodian Wilson Obungu. The second goal came in the 90th minute as Samuel Olwande scored from the spot-kick.