Sofapaka suffer Shark attack: Kariobangi Sharks advance to quarters

Kariobangi Sharks captain Geofrey Lemu (left)and Ezekiel Okare on Sofapaka Kariobangi Sharks captain Geofrey Lemu (left) and Ezekiel Okare on Sofapaka in action at Nyayo Stadium, yesterday. [Courtesy]

Batoto Ba Mungu rue missed chances as they bid tournament goodbye.

Kenyan international Masoud Juma scored a brace as Kariobangi Sharks cruised through to the GOtv Shield quarterfinals after seeing off 2014 winners Sofapaka 3-1 at the Nyayo Stadium, yesterday.

Sofapaka goalkeeper George Opiyo only has himself to blame after his erroneous play gifted the Sharks all the three goals with the striking duo of Umaru Kasumba and Feni Ali's profligacy in front of the goal post also costing Batoto Ba Mungu.

It is not the type of performance Sofapaka coach Sam Ssimbwa expected as he snubbed the press, leaving his equally disappointed assistant John Baraza to address journalists.

"I am very disappointed, but we just have to accept and move on. We didn't expect this result but that's the nature of the game. We didn't use our chances, especially in the first half," Baraza told The Standard Sports.

"We need to continue working hard and focus on the league now. It is a lesson as we prepare for our next league match."

But for his Sharks counterpart, William Muluya, his boys played according to instructions and deserved the victory.

"We didn't take it as a do-or-die match. The players just executed what we did in training. The bus is being driven by the players themselves and they are actually enjoying the game," said Muluya.

"I believe if we are going to play each game with a lot of concentration the way we did today, we will progress to the next round."

Paul Kamau broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime, chipping the ball over the advancing Sofapaka custodian before he delivered an assist for Masoud to double the lead in a similar fashion seven minutes after the break.

A few minutes later, Opiyo pulled off two saves in succession as he denied Elly Asieche from close range.

Sofapaka could have pulled a goal back in the 63rd minute, but Umaru Kasumba failed to put the ball into the empty net after rounding off goalkeeper Robert Mboya.

Masoud also shot wide in the 75th minute as he missed a chance to double his effort.