SOFAPAKA FC

Hitherto second-placed Ulinzi Stars fared a shade better than Tusker when they managed a 1-1 draw with Nairobi City Stars and replaced the beaten Tusker at the top of the table.

It was very encouraging weekend results for the chasing teams, Gor Mahia [now third] and Sofapaka who now have the leaders firmly in sight. Sofapaka blasted through a 4-0 win past Red Berets at Naivasha on Saturday.

Mathare United were ahead of both Gor and Sofapaka going into Sunday fixtures but the Nairobi team came unstuck in Awendo when home side Sony Sugar ran out emphatic 2-0 winners.

At Thika Municipal Stadium, Thika United could do no better than a 0-0 draw with visiting Posta Rangers and Chemelil were also blunt coming off 0-0 at home with Western Stima.

The final fixture of the week is set for Monday when bottom Mahakama clash with AFC Leopards at City Stadium, kick off, 3pm.

Tusker 0 Gor Mahia 2

George “BlackBerry” Odhiambo shot Gor Mahia into a fifth minute lead, his audacious dribbling into the box, beating three defenders before shooting with his left [off a touch by Tusker defender Joseph Shikokoyi], high into the net from a narrow angle, being a delight to his admirers.

Late into the game, Gor Mahia inevitably caught Tusker thin at the back when the Brewers had pressed and thrown everyone up looking for the equaliser. “BlackBerry” was again involved as three Gor Mahia men toyed with little Tusker resistance during a counter attack. An interchange in the box between Odhiambo, Tony Onyango and Kevin Omondi finished with Omondi tapping into an empty Tusker net in the 87th minute.

Tusker clearly came unstuck in this hyped match which saw a gloriously large Gor Mahia support hugely enjoy themselves at the City Stadium.

“They got us today,” said Tusker skipper Noah Abich. “Things just did not go right for us, especially after conceding a goal so early. It was hard because Gor Mahia are a good team. Very highly inspired... so it was their day.

Some zealous protection of their early lead called for Gor Mahia men to stand their ground and even though it worked, there will be sleepless night for newly recruited defender Collins Okoth while authorities review his behaviour during an incident in the 51st minute.

Okoth’s blatant elbow into the face of a Tusker player, though unsighted by any official was horrendously ugly and those shocked by it will be awaiting results of further investigation.

Tusker tried everything and Joseph Emeka (62nd minute) should have converted when Anthony Khadudu sent across past the face of goal and all the Nigerian needed was to reach the toe of his boot to it. Shikokoti had a chance from the same left far post from a free kick but his lunge at the ball only managed to take it to the side netting in the 76th minute. Then Paul Were also just failed to convert from the same position in the 77th minute.

In the 84th minute Crispin Olando, the busy recruit from Thika United had a chance but his left foot effort went straight to Gor Mahia ‘keeper Jerim Onyango.

On the other hand one of Gor’s best chances fell to Duncan Makori whose close range shot was saved by the Tusker ‘keeper Samuel Odhiambo in the 53rd minute.

TEAMS:-

TUSKER - 20. Samuel Odhiambo: 17. Noah Abich, 3. Collins Kisuya, 18. Joseph Shikokoti, 15. Humphrey Okoti, 16. Chrispine Olando, 24. Anthony Khadudu (13. Fred Ojwang’, 74’), 21.Victor Ali Abondo, 30. Salim “Kinje” Khamis (14. Paul Were, 50’), 9. Dennis Mukaisi, 11. Joseph Emeka (7. Oscar Kadenge, 68’)

Reserves not used - 1. Boniface Oluoch, 2. Chris Litswa, 5. Jockins Atudo, 10. Francis Oduor

Coach - James Nandwa

GOR MAHIA - 1. Frederick Onyango: 4. Julius “Awillo” Owino (captain), 21. Andrew Ongwae, 5.Musa Mohamed, 15. Eric Masika, 6. Teddy Akumu, 17. Dan Makori (14. Kevin Omondi, 57’), 13. Collins Okoth, 25. George Odhiambo, 9. Baldwin Ngwa (7. Francis Ochola, 85’), 11. John Kiplangat (8.Tony Onyango, 72’)

Reserves not used - 23. Gradus Ochieng’, 3. Christopher Litswa, 26. Robert Onyango, 29. Abdi Mohamed

Scorers - 25. George “BlackBerry” Odhiambo (5’), 14. Kevin Omondi (87’)

Coach - Zedekiah Otieno

Referee - Fidelis Wekesa

Sony Sugar 2 Mathare United 0

Mathare United finally lost a match after 16 outings, succumbing to a numbing 2-0 defeat at Awendo, home of Sony Sugar.

Steve Biko (42nd minute) and Kayombo Dondo (44th) exploded in the closing stages of a first half that baffled Mathare United. The visiting team simply did not recover despite their stout efforts in the second half.

It was ironically a five star performance by Sony Sugar despite recent murmurs about administrative problems.

Mathare United as usual started the game with their free flowing football but Sony defied this and in the 42nd minute roving defender Kayombo Dodo curved in a dangerous cross from his own half which found midfilder Steve Biko on the run to crack in a thunderous shot past advancing Mathare ‘keeper Martin Musalia.

Mathare had failed to take advantage of early Sony misfortunes when first choice ‘keeper Evans Omondi was injured barely 10 minutes into the game and was replaced by his understudy Collins Oduor.

In less than two minutes after Sony’s first goal, scorer Biko became the provider after he took a quick short free-kick back to Dodo who wasted no time with a 40 yard screamer that went past a stranded Musalia.

Then Mathare continued to have a bad day in the office as coach Salim Ali brought in Harambee Stars midfielder Austin Makacha for injured Simon Mburu but Makacha was a pale shadow of his former self.

Sony’s new signing and substitute Joshua Oyoo Ayub missed several clear chances perhaps due to the fact that it was his first game in front of the demanding fans at his new home who wanted results through thick and thin.

The inclusion of Dennis Oliech’s younger brother Kevin Opiyo buoyed the Mathare striking force but his forage upfront was cut off by the steady defenders who remained steadfast.

The goalless second half was a see-saw affair though Sony defenders Dodo, Kevin Oluoch, Jean Koffi and David Otieno effectively marking the Mathare strikers led by James Omondi [who had a rather dull day] were perhaps the critical difference in a match well officiated by Richard Obare from Nairobi.

Mathare’s Ali was, however, composed saying: “We have had a good run but the efficiency of Sony today was tremendous.They utilised their chances but we did not do the same. It was simply their day.”

Francis Baraza of Sony was an elated man while fans sang his praise: “The boys gave their best in all departments. I hope this is the start of good things to come,” he said.

It was clear that a coaching panel coup had taken place at Awendo when it emerged that, Rishadi Shedu, the man who had taken charge from Baraza at the beginning of the season had quit in a huff after last week’s loss to Red Berets in Naivasha.

Shedu is said to have left the camp acrimoniously, without even talking to the players, and later in mid-week, through a telephone short message service (SMS) said he had terminated his contract citing interference from some officials in the club that had made his work impossible.

Sony lost 1-0 at Naivasha against Red Berets last week and their situation starting to look precarious at the foot of the table, it may just have lifted them against Mathare United.

Still as low as 13th on the table, Sony will look to keep up Sunday’s form in the next match, still at home, to Mahakama next Sunday.

TEAMS:-

SONY SUGAR - 1. Collins Oduor: 2. David Otieno, 5. Sylvester Wanyama, 7. Chamberi Marwa (9. Joshua Oyoo Ayub, 49’), 6. Jean Koffi , 10. Kevin Oluoch,11. Dennis Onkangi (25. Jack Omondi, 82’),12. Steve Biko (captain),16. Justine Monda (17. Mohamed Yusuf, 70’), 20. Frederick Onyango, 28. Kayombo Dodo

Reserves not used- 21. Evans Omondi,13. Silas Aluvisia, 19. Victor Majid,15. Luke Ochieng’

Scorers - 12. Steve Biko ( 42’), 28. Kayombo Dodo (44’)

Coach - Francis Baraza

MATHARE UNITED -16. Martin Musalia: 24. Heavener Maloba, 3. Kennedy Omogi,15. Antony Kimani (captain),17. Lloyd Wahome, 4. Dennis Nzomo, 21. Kelvin Omondi (27. Jacob Kelly, 71’), 22. Kevin Kimani, 5. Joseph Nyagah, 8. Simon Mburu (14. Austin Makacha, 38’), 25. James Omondi (23. Kevin Opiyo, 50”)

Reserves not used - 1. Duncan Ochieng’, 7.Vincent Okello, 11. Innocent Mutiso, 9. Ismail Musa

Coach - Salim Ali

Referee - Richard Obare (Nairobi)

Assistant referee - Margaret Omondi (Busia)

Asst refeee - Moses Waswa (Bungoma)

4th official - James Kagera (Nairobi)

Match commissar - Evans Mwachia

Nairobi City Stars 1 Ulinzi Stars 1

Ulinzi Stars took the early lead in the day’s fist match at the City Stadium [2pm kick off before the Tusker/Gor Mahia match at 4pm] and looked set for valuable three points before City Stars forced the 1-1 tie.

However, after Tusker’s loss to Gor Mahia, Ulinzi would be grateful to their point which enabled them to regain the Premiership lead with 32 points, one more than Tusker.

Ulinzi finished with after their skipper Stephen Ocholla was out with his second yellow card of the match from referee Isaac Ochieng’ in the 64th minute.

Chester Okoyo had given Ulinzi the match opener in the 18th minute after receiving a nice pass from Ismael Ibrahim. Okoyo struck hard from close range.

Ugandan import Jimmy Bagaye was to later hit from about the same spot in the 80th minute after city Stars had split the Ulinzi defence to walk in into the six yard box.

TEAMS:-

NAIROBI CITY STARS - 23. Frederick Majani: 10. Justus Basweti, 25. Peter Ashango (24. Collins Ochieng’, 58’), 18. Arthur Museve, 21. John Amboko, 6. Dennis Okoth, 22. Simon Ogutu, 7. Francis Thairu (8. Alex Sake, 75’), 12. Jimmy Bagaye, 14. George Odari (20. David King’atua, 60’), 13. Levi Muaka (capt)

Reserves not used - 30. Peter Odhiambo, 9. Kennedy Oliech, 17. David Gateri, 11. Oscar Mbugua

Scorer - 12. Jimmy Bagaye (80’)

Coach - Ken Odhiambo

ULINZI STARS - 21.Francis Ochieng: 12. Richard Chege, 3. Mohamed Hussein, 8. James Mulinge, 2. Geoffrey Kokoyo, 6. Erick Apul, 10. Ismael Ibrahim, 29. Stephen Ocholla (capt), 17. Allan Muhati (14. Anthony Nderitu, 56’), 25. Tom Ogweno, 20. Chester Okoyo (27. George Oyoo, 70’)

Reserves not used - 28. Erick Odunga, 5. Josiah Odhiambo, 9. George Otieno, 24. Kelvin Simiyu, 4. Kevin Ouma

Scorer - 20. Chester Okoyo (18’)

Coach - Benjamin Nyangweso

Referee - Isaac Ochieng’

Thika United 0 Posta 0

Thika United, this season not in their usual competitive poise would have been grateful of a point from Posta as they plan for a steady climb out of the relegation zone.

The two sides level on 20 points, Posta in 11th place is separated from Thika by goal difference.

Chemelil 0 Western Stima 0

Western Stima will be happy with a point from the visit to Chemelil as they prepare for a weekend crunch match at their Bukhungu Stadium home with Gor Mahia.

Stima were 2-0 winners over KCB at Bukhungu the previous weekend and will be hoping their 0-0 draw at Chemelil was not a serious dip in momentum.

Source: www.kpl.co.ke