| Mathare United 1 Sofapaka 3 |
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DEFENDING champions Sofapaka turned the game on its head in a blistering second half, erasing a goal deficit, then running off with an emphatic 3-1 win over 2008 titlists Mathare United at National Stadium, Nairobi on Wednesday night. United’s Kevin Opiyo was brought down by Kenya central defender Edgar “Fighter” Ochieng’ in the Sofapaka box for Mathare’s Kevin Kimani to convert the penalty in the 14th minute.They should have earned another spot kick, to possibly stretch their lead in the 65th minute, when Kennedy Ayong’ was brought down in a similar fashion, this time by Sofapaka defender Thomas Wanyama. Instead, Mathare were penalised for a high boot on John Baraza and Osborne Monday, taking the free-kick from just outside the box, superbly beat Martin Musalia in the Mathare goal to level 1-1 in the 70th minute. Then the dramatic turnaround came when Baraza, usually the man who has been receiving the final ball in the box all season, this time served a slow volley from the left flank to Bob Mugalia who neatly hit past Musalia for 2-1 in the 77th minute. Up to then, Mathare had done most of the attacking and Sofapaka had survived through the hard work of mainly Edgar “Fighter” Ochieng’ and skipper James Situma at the back. But some clever touches by experienced men such as Monday slowly neutralised Mathare’s strength in midfield. This enabled Baraza to gloriously dribble his way through the Mathare defence, combine with Anthony Kimani, who in turn gave the final lob to Baraza who drew the ‘keeper out and score a brilliant goal for 3-1. It was Baraza’s 11th goal of the season and he now appears unchallenged in his bid for the top scorer “Golden Boot” award and prize money at the end of the season. He was joint winner on 15 goals with Tusker’s Joseph Emeka last season. Mathare United coach Salim was a bitter man at the end at what he called poor refereeing that cost his side: “The officiating was a huge disappointment. Referee Thomas Onyango denied us a clear second penalty. It does not matter that he had awarded us one already; the law is still the law, if it is flouted punishment should be handed out each time. “Though we lacked concentration in the second half, the loss is squarely attributable to the referee denying us the advantage when we were on top. Very many calls for offside against us were also incorrect,” Ali said. A delighted Sofapaka coach Sam Ssimbwa said his team had proved they had a fighting capacity, after their second big comeback in recent times. They rallied from 0-2 to beat AFC Leopards 3-2 recently. Ssimbwa said their fight to “reclaim our property [top spot on the table]” had raged. The Ugandan, who joined the champions well into the season said: “I did not come from Kampala to laugh with anybody here… but to win, grab every trophy I can lay my hands on with Sofapaka. “I'm now at the top and to remove me from there, one will need to use a huge crane,” said the smiling, self-acclaimed “Prince” from the Kabaka [King] Mutebi Kingdom of Buganda. The KPL also reached another milestone in their efforts to improve technology in match coverage. The wide stadium screen at the National Stadium, for the first time ran “live” pictures of the match from the SuperSport broadcast cameras much to the double entertainment of the spectators who were also able to see instant replays of goals, missed chances and other incidents. The screen was put back into serviceable state during the recent African Track and Field Championships and the country’s football is now the immediate beneficiary of the equipment placed at the stadium by the Kenya Government. Sofapaka moved to the top of the top. On equal 39 points with Ulinzi Stars, the defending champions lead with a superior goal difference – of 19 goals against Ulinzi’s 12. The top five are completed by Gor Mahia (37), Tusker (37) and Mathare United (32). TEAMS:- MATHARE UNITED - 16. Martin Musalia: 24. Heavener Maloba, 3. Kennedy Ayong’ (19.Tony Otieno, 79’), 15. Anthony Kimani (capt), 17. Lloyd Wahome, 4. Dennis Nzomo, 14. Austin Makacha (9. Ismael Mussa, 76’), 20. Simeon Mulama (6. Simon Mburu 55’), 22. Kevin Kimani, 5. Joseph Nyagah, 23. Kevin Opiyo Oliech Reserves not used - 1. Duncan Ochieng’, 21. Kevin Omondi, 7. Vincent Okello, 29. Andrew Tololwa Scorer - 22. Kevin Kimani (14’) Coach - Salim Ali SOFAPAKA - 29. Wilson Obungu: 7. Thomas Wanyama (25. Mudde Musa, 71’), 6. Idrissa Rajab, 5. Edgar “Fighter” Ochieng’, 14. James Situma (Capt), 20. Humphrey Ochieng’ Mieno, 9. Bob Mugalia (19. John Onami, 81’), 2. Osborne Monday, 30. Hugo Nzangu (24. Abbas Akinyemi, 47’). 11. Anthony Kimani, 12. John Barasa Reserves not used - 1. Zachariah Onyango, 15. Kilonzi Tumba, 22. Evans Wandera,10. Patrick “Pettit” Kagogo Scorers - 2. Osborne Monday (70'), 9. Bob Mugalia (72'), 12. John Baraza (84') Coach - Sam Ssimbwa (Uganda) Referee - Thomas Onyango Assistant referee - Mike Mwangi Asst ref - Mohamed Guyo Source: www.kpl.co.ke
3.26 Copyright (C) 2008 Compojoom.com / Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."
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East Africa Portland Cement Company the manufacturer of East
Africa’s leading cement brand Blue Triangle is Sofapaka F.C’s
sponsor.
For more than 70 years, East African Portland Cement
Company has been Kenya's leading cement manufacturer.
By providing the 'lifeblood' of the country's construction
industry, they have played a central role in nation building.
Visit www.eastafricanportland.com
Sofapaka F.C. plays its home matches at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi
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