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Sofapaka 1 El Merriekh 1 Sofapaka’s Robson Dondo capitalised on a defensive mix up to hit the roof of the net but Nigerian Kelechi Osunwa saved the blushes for the 2007 Confederation Cup finalists, El Merriekh at Coca Cola National Stadium, Nairobi. Francis Chinjili should have put the newly promoted Kenyan Premier League side ahead after restart but failed to beat El Merriekh goalkeeper Ahmed Hafiz’s outstretched leg. Dondo, however, atoned for Chinjili’s miss to find the roof of the net after a defensive blunder by the Sudan champions. The goal drew an immediate response from the Sudanese who were missing their Nigerian danger man Stephen Worgu due to injury. Jabir Bellah ran half the length of the field before delivering a perfect cross for yet another Nigerian import Kelechi Osunwa to level the score from four yards with a powerful header. El Merriekh’s continental experience was unquestionably evident as they strung together several passes but to no good effect. But it took Dondo’s 50 minute strike to jerk El Merriekh into stepping a gear up and it was a question of when not if the Sudanese will score. Kelechi who had a good evening headed the ball goal wards with goalkeeper Opiyo well beaten only for Anthony Kimani to pop up from nowhere to clear the danger from the line. As early as the fourth minute, Kelechi went down on the edge of the box under a challenge of a forest of legs, but the referee would have none of it. Sofapaka, however, respondent almost immediately when Patrick Kagogo curved a vicious free-kick inches wide. Robert Matano’s men almost paid dearly on 23 minutes for allowing too much space to the Sudanese when Bellah powered down the right flank, leaving James Situma and Dondo in his wake. However, Bellah’s delivery was too near to goalkeeper George Opiyo who turned it round the post for a fruitless corner. El Merriekh got several corners but failed to make the most out them with Sofapaka defenders Zablon Amanaka, Kimani, Situma and Ibrahim Kasule comfortably dealing with them. Sudan’s striker Hamid Amari was kept quiet as Kelechi ran the show. Both coaches made several changes to their side as they sought to give their players match fitness. Sofapaka could not play their KPL match against Tusker and quickly penned the friendly with Kenya’s northern neighbours on the day the local league kicked off. Sofapaka George Opiyo, Anthony Kimani, James Situma, Ibrahim Kasule, Zablon Amanaka, Evans Wandera, Robson Dondo, Bernard Odhiambo, Dimonde Selenga, Francis Chinjili and Patrick Kagogo. El Merriekh Ahmed Hafiz, Mohammed Safari, Jabir Bellah, Tayeb Mustafa, Bocader Diallo, Fane Lassana, Nasreldin Shigail, Hamid Amari, Feisiel Ajab, Mustafa Said, and Kelechi Osunwa. |
