Sofapaka fail to narrow gap on leaders Gor Mahia

Sofapaka FC's Moussa Omar (left) and Oscar Wamalwa of Ulinzi FC during a KPL match in Machakos. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Sofapaka missed a chance to close the gap on SportPesa Premier League leaders Gor Mahia after they settled on a barren draw with Ulinzi Stars as Kakamega Homeboyz drew 1-1 with AFC Leopards in yesterday's matches at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.

Kenyan international Allan Wanga returned to haunt his former club AFC Leopards scoring an equaliser to cancel out Whyvonne Isuza's wonder goal early in the first half.  The equaliser saw the in-form Wanga take his goals tally to 12.

At Kasarani Stadium, Sony Sugar stunned fourth-placed Mathare United 2-1 as Chemelil Sugar shared the spoils with visiting Posta Rangers after a goalless draw in Awasi.

Batoto Ba Mungu went into the match seeking a win to narrow the gap on K'Ogalo, who have two games in hand but Benjamin Nyangweso's men had other plans for them.

Sofapaka were even lucky to get a point thanks to their goalkeeper Justin Ndikumana who kept them in the game with his brilliant saves.

The Burundian was impressive throughout the game denying Ulinzi's duo of Oscar Wamalwa and Enosh Ochieng' on several occasions.

Ulinzi started off brightly and thought they had taken the lead in the sixth minute only for the assistant referee to rule out what appeared to be Wamalwa's clear goal for offside.

And by his own admission, Sofapaka coach John Baraza said he was pleased with the point.
"This was a 50-50 game and I am satisfied with the draw. Although we created many chances, Ulinzi played well. They really gave us a run for our money. We need to get back to our drawing board and see how to improve on our finishing," said Baraza.

In the second match at the same venue, resurgent AFC Leopards were frustrated to a 1-1 draw by Kakamega Homeboyz.

AFC Leopards threatened first with Vincent Oburu forcing a fine save from Homeboyz goalkeeper David Juma two minutes into the game.

Seven minutes later, Whvonne Isuza scored a wonder goal from new signing Boniface Mukhekhe's corner kick before the former Mt Kenya United man's glancing header went wide.

Allan Wanga restored parity in the 13th minute when his header from midfielder Osborne Monday's weighted delivery crashed the bar before the ball rebounded into the net after hitting goalkeeper Jairus Adira.

Juma then pulled a fine double save to deny Eugene Mukangula and Isuza before Abdallah Salim saw his free header bounce off the target.

Mukangula was at it again in the 35th minute but his long-range shot was stopped by the goalkeeper before Aziz Okaka's goal-bound effort was deflected for a fruitless corner.

Peter Thiong'o, who was a thorn in Leopards' defence, could have given the visitors the lead in the 64th minute but he was ruled offside before controlling Wanga's incisive pass. Leopards responded immediately but David Ochieng's feeble cross from the right flank was well dealt by one of the opposition's defender.

Okaka could have snatched a late winner for Ingwe but his free header from substitute Brian Marita delivery went wide before Juma came off his line to deny Isuza.

Yesterday's results

AFC Leopards 1-1 Kakamega Homeboyz

Sofapaka 0-0 Ulinzi Stars

Chemelil Sugar 0-0 Posta Rangers

Mathare United 1-2 Sony Sugar