Sony sink Sofapaka as Bandari and Chemelil share spoils

Nairobi City Stars and Ushuru FC fired blanks at Nairobi’s Safaricom Stadium as Sofapaka survival chances in the SportPesa Premier League were dealt yet another blow by visiting Sony Sugar who stole all the points courtesy of Samuel Olare’s lone goal in Machakos.

In another Saturday SPL clash, hosts Chemelil Sugar forced a 1-1 draw against Bandari FC who remain stuck in 10th on the log.

David King’atua had put the Dockers in the driving seat in the first half but David Ojwang scored for Chemelil shortly after the break to secure the draw.

David Ouma’s Batoto ba Mungu remain bottom with only seven points after 12 outings, while Sony are fast rising from their slow start that saw immediate former coach Leonard Odipo shown the door to pave way for the return of Salim Babu who has catapulted the Sugar Millers to 12th three places off the drop zone.

Ken Kenyatta’s Ushuru were the most likely to score from the proceedings of the first half pressing John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla’s City Stars back in their own half for the better part but neither Azizi Okaka nor Ezekiel Odera would score despite several promising buildups ending in their unsuccessful finishes.

In Chemelil, Bandari commanded the proceedings despite the hosts few notable efforts of the first half, Victor Majid and Daniel Mutei coming close in the first quarter to no fruition in a well manned goal by custodian Wilson Obungu.

But it was King’atua who would break the deadlock in the 35 th when he fired home past keeper Samuel Odhiambo after dashing away from the defenders having been released through by Edwin Lavatsa from almost the centre of the pitch.

Chemelil would have leveled the score with few minutes remaining into break, but Obungu stood out in keeping off Majid’s effort .

On resumption, Chemelil’s coach Francis Baraza, brought on Erustus Mwaniki for Alex Kajubi who added the impetus the home team needed to get the leveler. Ojuang sprung off his marker to fire in with a header a rebound that bounced to him following Majid’s free kick to make it 1-1.

The supper sub Mwaniki and the hardworking Majid had two more open opportunities to bag home maximum points, but were unlucky not to capitalize.

In an early kick-off of the day, Gor Mahia beat Muhoroni Youth 2-0 to climb to third on the log with 20 points just four below leaders Tusker, and two shy of the second placed Mathare who play Posta Rangers on Sunday