Mathare Utd, Homeboyz get crucial wins on day of draws

Mathare United player Kinyanjui James (left) challenges AFC Leopards Salim 'Shittu' Abdalla during the SportPesa Premier League match at Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega, yesterday. [Benjamin Sakwa]

Ugandan import Rodgers Aloro returned to haunt his former club Sofapaka, scoring a last gasp equaliser as Tusker rallied to hold Batoto Ba Mungu 2-2 in dramatic Sportpesa Premier League match at Kenyatta Stadium yesterday.

Dropping points at the death could cost Sofapaka the title as they have done so in a number of their matches this season.

Sofapaka thought they had reduced Gor Mahia’s lead at the top of the table to five points only for Aloro to pop up and deny them the victory with a powerful header from Sammy Meja’s corner kick.

Western Stima had done Batoto Ba Mungu a favour by holding the record Kenyan champions to a barren draw in Kisumu.

“That’s football for you. It is unfortunate my goal has denied my former club a chance to narrow the gap on Gor Mahia. I can feel their frustrations, but there is nothing I could have done in such a position,” Aloro told Standard Sports.

Headed goals from Umar Kasumba and Brian Magonya  in  the openinh minutes of each half had given Sofapaka the lead before Boniface Macharia pulled a goal back for the brewers in the 84th minute.

Kasumba broke the deadlock in the third minute when he powered home a header from Titus Achesa’s free kick before Magonya doubled the lead three minutes into the second half with a thumping header from Elly Asieche’s delivery

Sofapaka continued from where they left off in the first half with Magonya leaping high to head home Elly Asieche’s corner kick.

Majak nearly reduced the deficit but he was denied by a fully stretched goalkeeper Justin Ndikumansa before Kasumba limped off.

And with less than six minutes to stoppage, Muchiri pulled a goal back for a spirited Tusker before Aloro equalised at the death.

Kasumba’s opener saw the Ugandan go level on goals (16) with joint top scorer Allan Wanga, who was also on target in Kakamega Homeboyz’s 3-0 convincing win over Kariobangi Sharks at Kasarani Stadium.

But Kasumba was substituted midway the second half after suffering a suspected knee injury.

Another golden boot hopeful Cliff Nyakeya scored his 12th goal of the season as Mathare United clawed AFC Leopards 2-0, ending Ingwe’s nine game unbeaten run at Bukhungu Stadium.

The former midfielder of the year gave Mathare the lead in the 28th minute before Klinsmann Omulanga completed the visitors’ double over Cassa Mbungo’s men ten minutes later.