Sofapaka edge Leopards to lift Jamhuri Day Cup

Wasington Munene gave Leopards the opening goal in the 14th minute from the spot after teammate Jaffary Owiti was fouled in the box, but the 2009 Kenyan Premier League champions equalized six minutes to full time through Roddy Manga.

Brian Wanyama and Ojo Olaniyi missed their penalties for Leopards, as Sofapaka converted four with only Alex Imbusia’s kick saved by keeper Levis Opiyo.

Leopards coach Patrick Aussems conceded the better side won.

"To be honest I think we did not deserve to win. In the second half we were very weak. We were not able to make even five passes in a row, I don't know why and I think to think why. I'm not surprised by this score," said Aussems.

The match was also a Premier League fixture, considered to have ended in a draw as penalties were only for deciding the cup winner.

The draw lifts Leopards one place up to ninth on four points while Sofapaka who have not won a match this season from four matches climbed up to 13th on two points.

The 12-time league champions were the dominant side in the first half with fine exchanges among Peter Thiong’o, Brian Wanyama, Eugine Mukangula and Owiti causing all the problems in the Sofapaka’s goal.

Washington Munene had his long range effort miss by inches brushing the roof of the net with Sofapaka seeing their real threat from Joseph Waithira agonizingly saved by the retreating Opiyo.

Before the break, the Batoto Ba Mungu should have forced an equalizer in stoppage time with a dangerous ball from the corner missing Sofapaka players only for Thiong’o to clear it from the line.

After the break, the David Ouma-coached side came back the strongest, asking questions severally at the Leopards goal leaving coach Patrick Aussems fuming on the touch line.

Brilliant combination of substitute Imbusia Alex Kasiriye Davis and Okal Roy gave Ingwe defence a lot of work to do and it was clear that Sofapaka were determined to equalize before the final whistle.

Sofapaka's Ikekhai Sunday was teed up by Okal Roy after restart with the former unleashing a rocket which went over the bar.

Leopards will rue a number of chances wasted by the Nigerian import Olaniyi and his striking partners of Maxwell Otieno and Owiti for the final outcome forcing the two sides to share the spoils.

And the equalizing goal came just six minutes to the full time with Manga capitalizing on the loose ball that Leopards defenders failed to clear, heading it inside the net while on the ground with the cameras showing that he also stretched his hand on the ball before it rolled inside the net.

Penalties for Madaraka Day Cup

For the penalties which were used to determine who would be crowned Madaraka Day Cup Champion, Leopards were first and Washington, Giovanni Lukhumwa and Maxwell Otieno scored from the spot while Brian Wanyama hit the crossbar.

Sofapaka’s Davis,Kasiriye, Lucky Mweu, Okola Stephen and Kigonya Mathias scored their penalties while Imbusia Alex's effort was thwarted by Opiyo.

Imbusia’s neatly taken spot kick was enough to declare Sofapaka as this year’s Madaraka Day Cup Champions thanks to Ojo Olaniyi who saw his penalty brilliantly saved by goalie Mathias.

Mathias was the hero after saving one penalty and scoring the winning penalty sending Opiyo the wrong way.