Sofapaka keep title hopes alive

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Sofapaka kept their Kenyan Premier League title hopes alive after trouncing visiting Nzoia Sugar 3-1 in yesterday’s thrilling match at Kasarani Stadium.

In the second match of the day at the same venue league leaders Gor Mahia beat Posta Rangers 1-0.

Meddie Kagere scored the all-important goal for Gor Mahia in the 22nd minute.

Yesterday’s victory at Kasarani Stadium, saw the 15-time league champions open a six point (43) lead, six ahead of second placed Sofapaka who clawed Nzoia Sugar 3-1.

Gor defender Wellington Ochieng made a goal line clearance stopping Dennis Mukaisi’s close range attempt in the fifth minute before Rangers goalkeeper Patrick Matasi pulled off a fine save from Godfrey Walusimbi’s shot.

Matasi then parried away Karim Nizigiyimana’s dangerous cross from the right as Gor piled more pressure on the mailmen’s defence searching for an opener.

Umaru Kasumba scored a brace to take his season tally to five, with Ezekiel Okare netting the third goal to secure a third successive win for Soafapaka.

It is a result that left Sofapaka coach Sam Ssimbwa a happy man, though he said the score line would have been different if his strikers were more ruthless in front of the goal.

“We created many chances and we would have won this game with a very big margin, but our strikers were somehow wasteful,” Ssibwa told The Standard Sports after the match.

“All the same, I am pleased with the team’s performance as the victory will motivate us as we keep close tabs on leaders Gor Mahia.

“We are anxiously waiting for any slipups from them.”

But for his Nzoia counterpart Bernard Mwalala, inexperience and lapse in concentration at the back cost them.

“Just like Sofapaka, we also had our own chances but inexperience upfront cost us. We couldn’t put the ball into the net,” Mwalala said.

Kasumba opened the scoring for Sofapaka in the second minute when he rose high to head home from a corner kick.

In other matches, Kakamega Homeboyz hit Bandari 1-0 in Mumias as Sony Sugar won 2-1 over visiting Zoo Kericho.

In Machakos Francis Manoa came off the bench to score the lone goal as Kariobangi Sharks beat Western Stima.