SOFAPAKA FC

Defender Harry Gentle was on the mark in the 42nd minute and striker Bob Mugalia made it 2-0 with a 45th minute penalty. Then Mugalia got his brace in the 68th minute after finishing off a great move from the left flank by Said Idrissa Rajab and central striker Hugo Nzoka.

Earlier, Uganda Revenue Authority had beaten Simba of Tanzania 2-1 in the other match of the group but it was not enough to save the Ugandans from going home surrendering the third position to Simba who finished third to reach the quarter finals.

Sofapaka and Atraco were battling to decide who topped the pool. Even though Sofapaka coach Sam Ssimbwa had said he was determined to win and maintain a 100% record, he put into the pitch all the Sofapaka players who had not played in their previous 3-0 win over URA and 2-1 triumph over Simba. Six players who had started in their previous matches were not on. Skipper James Situma was not even on the bench.

The Ugandan coach believed his second string boys would stand up to the defending Kagame Cup champions. The Kenyans, however, had to soak in a lot of early pressure and ‘keeper Zachariah Onyango was a most tormented man. After receiving two early knocks, it even looked like he would be unable to continue.

Then Sofapaka really struggled in midfield and Ssimbwa had to frantically call up a senior player, ejecting Salim “Kinja” Khamis and bring in the tough warrior Bob Mugalia.

Then the tide of the game started changing and the Kenyans started to find their footing. Suddenly after 35 minutes, they were looking terrific.

A spectacular raid started on the right flank and just after halfway line, right full-back Harry Gentle, who was playing his first game, sent a tremendous shot straight into goal prompting fantastic admiration all round.

On the 1-0 lead Sofapaka were now unstoppable. On the left flank the big Nigerian Abbas Akinyemi raced down and headed for Atraco goalkeeper Alexis Ganza. Akinyemi beat the ‘keeper with the dribble and Ganza had no option but to hack down the striker. Mugalia stepped up to hit the unstoppable penalty on 45 minutes.

In the second half Sofapaka had the comfort of a lead that did not seem under threat and only once did their goal come under threat when Edgar Ochieng’ had to clear off the line in the 70th minute.

Before then Idrissa had initiated the third goal when on a counter attack he sent a long ball to Nzoka who crossed into the box and goalie Ganza could only direct the high ball to the legs of Mugalia. On his first kick, Mugalia hit the back of Sofapaka midfielder Evans Wandera who was also in the box. But from the re-bound Mugalia made no mistake.

The Kenyan team achieved their objective of topping pool ‘C’ to avoid pool ‘A’ strong teams TP Mazembe or APR in the quarter finals on Tuesday.

TEAMS:-

SOFAPAKA -1. Zachariah Onyango: 6. Said Idrissa Rajab, 5. Edgar Ochieng’, 26. Andrew Oyombe, 2. Harry Gentle, 20. Humphrey Mieno Ochieng’, 22. Evans Wandera, 8. Laurent Tumba, 24. Abbas Akinyemi, 17. Salim “Kinje” Khamis (9. Bob Mugalia, 31’), 30. Hugo Nzoka

Reserves – 29. Wilson Obungu, 13. Kevin Ochieng’, 18. Tafadzwa Dondo, 21. Hussein Abdulrazak Alwy, 12. John Baraza, 7. Thomas Wanyama

Scorers - 2. Harry Gentle (42’), 9. Bob Mugalia (45’ penalty, 68’)

Coach – Sam Ssimbwa(Uganda)

ATRACO - 1. Alexis Ganza: 13. Yahya Seburungo, 2. Arafat Serugendo, 23. Berch Bamuna (12. Ronald Kamoga, 75’), 21. Alimasi Kadogo, 3. Godfrey Katerega, 7. Jabir Mutarambirwa, 14. Hamisi Kitagenda (4. Donatien, 49’),11. Mike Ssebaringa, 17. Jean Lomami (8. Ismail Habumugisha, 81), 16. Dady Birori

Reserves - 24. Andre Lomami, 12. Ronald Kamoga, 10. Jimmy Butera, 22. Ismail Mfashingabo, 8. Ismail Habumugisha, 5. Amani Uwiringiyimana, 4. Donatien Tuyizere

Coach - Sam Timbe (Uganda)

Referee - Ally Kalyango (Uganda)

By Gishinga Njoroge in Kigali