Okoti strike earns Sofapaka sweet victory over Tusker

Tusker FC coach Francis Baraza rued missed chances as the deposed Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions fell 1-0 to Sofapaka FC at the Ruaraka grounds on Saturday.

Humphrey Okoti was the unlikely hero for Sofapaka as his first half strike took the Batoto ba Mungu to second on the KPL standings and condemned Tusker to their second consecutive home defeat.

It was an end-to- end affair with both sides showing ambition going forward yet Tusker enjoyed a brighter start thanks to the tireless Boniface Muchiri whose runs down the left flank tormented the visitors early on.

But with Sofapaka welcoming back talismanic forward Umaru Kasumba following an injury lay-off, coach Sam Ssimbwa’s men were always going to be dangerous on the break.

“Actually it’s painful because we played well and created so many chances. But that’s football, sometimes the best team doesn’t win. I can’t blame anybody all we have to do is focus on our next match,” Baraza told Citizen Digital.

His counterpart refused to be carried away by the result that saw his men snap a three-match winless streak, shifting attention to their next round fixture.

“If you look closely those behind us are too close. If we lose our next match and they win then they’re back up. We can’t celebrate because the battle is still on.

“We wanted to win today and the result is there for all to see,” he said.

Kasumba was the chief creator  of the first goal as he beat Eugene Asike and hooked the ball into the box. It met Okoti whose first time strike was parried back into play by keeper David Okello and the defender made no mistake from the rebound, burying it in for the opener.

Tusker’s response was instant as Muchiri’s cross was met by midfielder Humphrey Mieno with a volleyed effort that was punched out of play for a corner by Matthias Kigonya.

Kasumba almost found the second after the restart but his flicked header narrowly missed the target.