The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.

Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
Email: [email protected]

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Sofapaka to clash with Western Stima

Pulse

By The Standard Sports | Apr 14, 2011

By GILBERT WANDERA

Sofapaka will play Western Stima in the second semi-final match of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) top eight tournament after edging out Sony Sugar 2-1 on Wednesday night.

The first semi-final match of the newly introduced tournament will be played next Wednesday and it pits Gor Mahia against Ulinzi Stars.

Sofapaka should have won by an even bigger margin after John Baraza was denied twice in the first half.

The veteran striker however recovered and was instrumental in helping Bob Mugalia score both goals for his side, uplifting his team to the last four.

Keep Reading

Detectives probe raid, robbery of reservist's gun

Mugalia’s first was in the second minute of the match and then wrapped it up with an 89th goal.

Sony got their consolation goal late in the second half through veteran striker Marwa Chamberi who took advantage of an apparent lapse in the Sofapaka defence to beat George Opiyo in goal.

The sugar millers would have easily got a second goal late in the match as Sofapaka defenders struggled to concentrate in the last stages of the match.

Sofapaka coach Francis Kimanzi who was on his second victory since taking over at the club expressed concern over his team’s inability to stay alert to the end.

"This is a knock-out game and I want to commend my players for staying calm even when two genuine goals were disallowed. It shows that they are mature and are following my instructions," Kimanzi said.

"However, I remain concerned by their lack of concentration towards the end of the match and it is something we probably need to discuss," he said.

Overal, Kimanzi said he is seeing a lot of progress in the team despite being at the club for less than one month.

Francis Baraza the Sony tactician said while his team played well, their strategy failed.

Baraza said they had intended to hold Sofapaka in the first half hoping they would be tired after that but this did not work.

Elsewhere, Thika United hit Bandari 3-0 in a midweek KPL match at the Thika Municipal Stadium on Wednesday.

Moses Arita opened the scores in the 10th minute before Peter Opiyo added another in the 35th minute.† Joseph Kuria completed the scores in the 80th minute as his side moved to the fifth position in the standings on ten points.

This was the second major victory for Thika United at home two months after they smashed Karuturi Sports.