Sofapaka blow chance as Mathare boss Kimanzi sees red

Sofapaka FC blew away a two-goal lead to draw with Mathare United 2-2 in a drama-filled Kenyan Premier League (KPL) clash at Nyayo National Stadium that saw the red mist descend on coach Francis Kimanzi on Saturday.

The 2009 champions were coasting to victory with a healthy 2-0 advantage after the opening 40 minutes but the defensive problems that have plagued them through out the season returned to cost them dear at the worst possible time.

Paul Odhiambo only took eight minutes to fire Batoto ba Mungu ahead before Noah Abich doubled the advantage in the 40th as both found joy against their former employers.

Two minutes later, Duke Abuya halved the deficit to leave the game finally poised 2-1 at the break.

The second half degenerated in controversy when Mathare coach, Francis Kimanzi was sent-off but the former Sofapaka and Harambee Stars boss refused to leave the pitch, incensed at the decision.

It took the intervention of Mathare club chairman, Bob Munro to convince his manager to leave the pitch in an incident that caused a ten-minute stoppage.

The final twist in the contest came right at the death when Whyvonne Isuza broke the Batoto ba Mungu’s hearts with a goal to peg back their remarkable turnaround under new coach  and ex-captain John Baraza.

The result left Sofapaka at 23 points with a goal difference of -10, three behind Ushuru FC who were held to a barren draw by relegated Nairobi City Stars on Friday.

Sofapaka need Ushuru to lose to Posta Rangers next weekend provided they beat Thika United to remain in the top flight.

Any other result will see Sofapaka return to the second-tier they came from in the 2008 season to storm to the title on their KPL debut the next year.

Mathare (43) are assured of a top-eight finish in sixth in a season where they slipped from being early title contenders to sit pretty near the mid table under the returning coach who led them to the 2008 KPL title.

-Top Eight-

In other matches played on Saturday, newbies Kakamega Homeboyz held Ulinzi Stars to a barren draw, a result that that saw them guarantee their place in the Top 8 tournament next season at the expense of 2015 winners Bandari FC.

Homeboyz moved to 41, four above Bandari (37) who won 1-0 at home to Western Stima courtesy of a late strike from David Kingatua.

At the Awendo Green Stadium, Joseph Nyaga struck the winner for Posta Rangers in a 2-1 win over Sony Sugar after goals Gerishon Likono and Amos Asembeka saw both teams head into the break deadlocked at 1-1.

Elsewhere, 10-man Thika United took their points tally for the season to 34 after emerging 1-0 winners over Chemelil Sugar.

Four of Sofapaka’s last five goals have come from set-pieces and it was no surprise as they opened the scoring from a corner kick.

It was their specialist, Abich, the provider with a well taken corner which Odhiambo made no mistake slamming into the back of the net.

In the 40th, Sofapaka were awarded a penalty after Robinson Kamura was citef for tugging down Paul Odhiambo inside the 18-yard box with Abich stepping up to score his second goal in three matches.

The Sofapaka defence was finally ripped open as Abuya pulled one back for the Kimanzi’s side just before the half time whistle.

A dull second half turned eventful in the final minutes as Mathare won a penalty in the 11th minute of injury time which Isuza converted to snatch a late point for his side.