Sofapaka lift cup

By Gilbert Wandera

Sofapaka lifted the Football Kenya Cup after hitting West Kenya Sugar 2-0 at the Nyayo National Stadium.

A goal each from Anthony Kimani and Patrick Kagogo was enough to hand the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions their first and probably only silver-ware this season as the league title appears to have gone with leaders Ulinzi.

Kimani broke the stubborn Western defence with simplest of efforts in the 56th minute to score while Kagogo netted from a solo effort in the 84th minute yesterday. It was a sweet victory for new Sofapaka coach Ezekiel Akwana, who has won all the three matches since he took charge following the suspension of Sam Ssimbwa and he was delighted about it.

“This is an important victory for us. We had a difficult first half, but it was because our opponents did not give us room to play. After correcting a few errors we came back strongly in the second half and that is why we were able to score the two goals,” he said.

The losers surprised everyone with their determination in the first half and made Sofapaka, comprised of some of the most experienced players in the country, look ordinary.

Goalkeeper Patrick Matasi put in a man of the match performance with brilliant saves that kept the crowd on their feet. Their best chance was early in the first half when Gideon Asudzi forced Wilson Obungu to stretch and punch the ball for a corner.

Despite going down at the last hurdle of the Cup competition, West Kenya will be proud of their achievement considering they eliminated stronger sides on their way to the final.

Two of their casualties are KPL sides Western Stima and Karuturi Sports whom they eliminated in the quarters and semi-finals.

For a team that was formed only six months ago, the sky appears to be limit and according to David Tali one of the officials, their aim is to play in the top league soon.

The club is in the Nationwide two league and have at least two years to make it to the KPL.