Sofapaka comes from behind to force a draw against Ulinzi in a thriller as AFC Lopards and Talanta play to a barren draw

A spirited performance in the dying minutes enabled Sofapaka to hold Ulinzi Stars to a 2-2 draw in a feisty Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League match at Kenya Police Sacco ground in South “C”, Nairobi, yesterday.

Ulinzi were forceful early in the match which resulted in Staphord Odhiambo finding an opening in Batoto Ba Mungu’s defence in the 10th minute to slot past goalkeeper Simon Masaka.

Sofapaka then carved scoring chances and were rewarded with the equalizer in the 31st minute when Evans Maliachi made no mistake from an in-swinging ball inside the box.

Sebastian Sunday then gave Sofapaka an advantage with the second goal in the 60th minute before Enos Ochieng’ assured Ulinzi a share of the spoils in the 82nd minute.

Sofapaka coach David Ouma commended his players for their fast recovery to finally salvage a point.

“It was a bit difficult for us in the beginning but there was an element of composure as the game wore on and this explains why we were able to score the two goals. We played against tough opponents and I laud my players for their hard fight to secure a point,” said Ouma.

Following the result, Ulinzi moved from the ninth to the eighth position with 34 points from 24 matches thus dislodging Kariobangi Sharks while Sofapaka remained in the twelfth slot with 24 points from 23 matches.

In the meantime, a Super Sunday is in the offing this weekend with the country’s bigwigs Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards lined up against tricky fixtures.

While K’ogalo will be in Nairobi to face Posta Rangers at Nyayo Stadium, Ingwe will be in Kakamega as guests of Kakamega Homeboyz in an Ingo Derby at Bukhungu Stadium.

Table-topping Gor have been in a roll but they would not have asked for a ticklish game against Rangers who have had scant respect for fancied opposition lately in the season.

Lying in the eighth position with 34 points from 24 matches, the mailmen have not lost in their last two fixtures and have demonstrated bravery even when odds are stacked heavily against them and this is perceived as the turning point in their quest to wind up among the top three teams in the season.

Apparently one of the rank outsiders for the title, Rangers may pose a serious threat to Gor and it will be interesting to observe what Timothy Otieno, their fulcrum in the attack, has to offer against his former employers while partnering Brian Marita in search of goals.

But then, Rangers have their work-cut out in the form of containing Gor  striker Benson Omala who is enjoying the form of his life having scored 21 goals so far which is five shy of the ones plundered by the team’s legend Maurice “Sonyi” Ouma in 1976. 

Omala netted a brace in Gor’s 2-1 win over Bandari in Mombasa last Tuesday and together with Peter Lwasa and George “Blackberry” Odhiambo should ignite a frontline that Rangers should be wary of.

In Kakamega, fireworks are expected to fly when Leopards face their ‘sister club’ Homeboyz.

Both teams will be going into the match with contrasting fortunes as whereas Ingwe have not win in their last two fixtures, Abana Abeingo takes pride in having stopped Kariobangi Sharks 3-1 in Nairobi.

While the two team’s matches have always been closely contested, Leopards have every reason to be cautious considering that Bukhungu was the same setting where Homeboyz eliminated Gor Mahia from the Mozzart Bet Cup early this month, thanks to Moses Mudavadi’s lone strike. 

Once again, Mudavadi is expected to lead Homeboyz’s goal hunt while Leopards are envisaged to count on Victor Omune, Cliff Nyakeya and Lewis Bandi in search of a breakthrough to help the team haul itself from the fifth position in the chart.