Sofapaka cut Gor’s lead, Vihiga pile misery on Wazito

Sofapaka FC reduced Gor Mahia FC’s lead at the summit of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) standings back to three points following Sunday’s 3-2 win over Mathare United at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

Kepha Aswani, Francis Omondi and Pistone Mutamba were on target for the hosts with Francis Omondi and Alphonce Ndonye scoring for Mathare who have now gone five matches without a win.

At the Camp Toyoyo Grounds in Nairobi Wazito FC suffered their latest setback yet in their survival bid when they went down 1-0 to Vihiga United thanks to Christopher Mbehelo Masinza’s second half strike.

Elsewhere Nzoia Sugar and Posta Rangers battled to a 0-0 stalemate while John Kamau’s first half goal lifted Tusker FC to a 1-0 win over Nakumatt FC at the Ruaraka Grounds.

In Nakuru, Oscar Wamalwa scored at the death to rescue a point for hosts Ulinzi Stars from their 1-1 draw with Kariobangi Sharks who had taken the first half lead courtesy of Ovella Ochieng.

Aswani got off the mark in the 10th minute with a fine header from a free kick with the ball bouncing just in front of a diving David Okello who could only watch it roll into the bottom left corner of his net.

This came minutes after the striker saw his efforts saved by the Mathare custodian but he could not miss the target on the second time of asking.

The Slum Boys immediately went in search of a response and it came sooner, though in an unfortunate fashion for the feisty Sofapaka.

Dennis Odhiambo conceded a penalty in the 18th after deliberately handling the ball in his own box and Francis Omondi converted the spot kick calmly to restore parity.

Batoto Ba Mungu was not finished yet. Pistone Mutamba devastatingly led the attacking lines after Aswani’s afternoon was short lived being forced off with an injury minutes after heading home the opener.

He agonizingly ran the Mathare’s defence ragged making darting runs that cut open Mathare and give him a sniff on goal.

On the brink of the 40th minute, Mutamba was at the heart of the attack again, earning a penalty kick after Okello’s misjudged save led to a foul leaving center referee with no option but reward John Baraza’s side a penalty and a caution to the goalkeeper.

Elli Asieche made no mistake and doubled the advantage for his side.

The former Wazito forward continued his assault on Mathare’s back line. His efforts came to fruition four minutes into the second half capitalizing from poor defensive duties by Francis Kimanzi’s men to seemingly put the game beyond Mathare and give Sofapaka a two-goal caution.

However, Mathare were determined to claw back the opponents pouring men in front to hunt for goals. Clifford Alwanga, who got himself into prime positions on several occasions could not find the golden touch to reduce his team’s woes.

It took an Alphonce Ndoye second half substitution to reduce the deficit for Mathare, releasing a venomous strike on Wycliffe Kasaya’s near post on the 65th minute to give them respite.

They then went on in search of the equalizing goal but several attempts were futile as Sofapaka just did enough to contain their attack and seal all the three points.

Sofapaka remain in second on 40 points and now trail league leaders Gor Mahia by 9 though Kogalo have up to 3 games in hand.

-Report by Agnes Amondi and Robbie Chome