Mathare dent Sofapaka’s KPL title dream

Sofapaka suffered a major dent in their bid of winning their second league title battling to a 2-2 draw with determined Mathare United at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

The explosive meeting had Sofapaka’s lead scorer Umaru Kasumba bag a brace to take his league tally to 14 goals, one shy of the league’s top scorer Allan Wanga, but Mathare midfielder Cliff Nyakeya also struck twice to take his tally to nine goals.

The 2009 Kenyan Premier League champions looked to extend their nine match unbeaten run as the ‘Slum Boys’ sought to secure a second win in seven league attempts.

Sofapaka’s Michael Oduor picked up an injury in the first half that had him substituted at the break with Stephen Waruru coming on.

Ugandan Umau Kasumba took less than a minute after the restart to get the opener, firing home from a lovely pass from Ellie Asieche from the middle of the park, and went close to doubling his tally moments later after a fine through pass from Waruru.

Cliiff Nyakea bagged his first of the afternoon in the 54th minute, Chris Oduor setting him up to fire into the bottom left corner to draw the sides level.

Oduor was left to rue a missed glorious opportunity to put his side ahead in the 57th minute after firing over, as Kasumba tapped in his second just on the hour mark after a well worked counter attack with Waruru.

After getting on target for the 14th time this season, the Ugandan picked up an injury with Pistone Mutamba being summoned to take his place.

Nyakeya bagged his second of the afternoon, getting on end of an Oduor’s cross to lash in a low shot from the edge of the box to ensure shared spoils.

The result extended Sofapaka’s unbeaten run to 10, occupying second spot on 49 points from 26 matches, six points shy of leaders Gor Mahia who have played two games less

Mathare remain fifth on 40 points from 26 matches after playing to a 10th draw of the campaign.

In the second game of Sunday’s double header at the Kenyatta Stadium, AFC Leopards soothed their impressive run under Cassa Mbungo, downing title contenders Bandari FC 2-1.

The hosts got ahead in the 16th minute as Paul Were set up Vincent Oburu who slotted home to ensure a crucial half time lead.

Alex Orotomal came haunting his former side as he levelled the scores for the coastal-based side in the 57th minute, inform Wyvonne Isuza getting on target with quarter of an hour left, to give Ingwe a ninth win of the season.

Mbungo’s men remain 10th on 34 points from 25 matches, level with ninth-placed Kariobangi Sharks who have played a game more.

Bernard Mwalala’s Bandari who lose a second game on the bounce, remain third on 45 points from 25 matches, 10 points off leaders Gor Mahia who have played two games less.

Elsewhere, bottom placed Mount Kenya recorded an unlikely 3-2 victory over host team Zoo Kericho in Kericho.

Collated Results

Zoo Kericho 2-3 Mount Kenya

Mathare United 2-2 Sofapaka

AFC Leopards 2-1 Bandari