Rampant Sofapaka tear Mathare apart

Sofapaka FC climbed into third place on the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) standings as they capped their resurgence with a 4-1 rout of leaders Mathare United on Tuesday.

Sofapaka put three past goalkeeper Allan Owiny in a rampant first half display with Ellie Asieche, Titus Achesa and Umaru Kasumba all scoring to leave the hosts stunned.

Kevin Kimani scored with a delightful finish as Sofapaka finally crumbled to Mathare’s intense second half pressure yet any hope of a comeback died off when Kasumba scored again for his brace late on.

Defeat sealed back to back losses for Mathare and stretched their winless run to four matches while Sofapaka completed a perfect run of five in which they have collected all points available to them.

Bandari FC moved joint-top with Mathare on 25 points following their 1-0 victory over Vihiga United at the Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa with David Kingatua and Yema Mwana scoring on either half of the match.

At the Bukhungu Stadium, Shaphan Oyugi scored a first half winner as 10-man Kariobangi Sharks edged Kakamega Homeboyz 1-0 while Posta Rangers climbed off the relegation zone with a 2-0 win over Nzoia Sugar.

Demolition Job

Asieche gave Sofapaka a dream start when he beat Owiny with a long range effort after only two minutes to spark the demolition job.

After a balanced series of play the visitors went 2-0 up at the half-hour mark as Achesa powered home a free-kick after Roy Okal had been penalized for a foul on John Avire outside the area.

Mathare were punished yet again from a set-piece two minutes from the break with Kasumba finishing off a rebound after Owiny had punched Avire’s free-kick back into play.

Substitute Ibrahim Kitawi should have put Sofapaka four to the good after he had been teed up clear but Owiny raced off his lines to thwart him.

Kimani pulled one back for Francis Kimanzi’s side, placing the ball beyond goalkeeper Justin Ndikumana after showing some real composure to create space for the shot in a crowded Sofapaka box.

Brian Magonya missed from point blank range after Avire had done well to beat his man and pull the cut back. Magonya one touch too many, allowing Owiny to rob the ball from his feet and clear the danger.

David Owino skied from Andrew Juma’s delivery from the right before Umaru finished off the hosts with a ferocious effort off the underside of the crossbar in stoppage time.