Sofapaka edge out Muhoroni to keep survival hopes alive

Former Kenyan Premier League champions Sofapaka on Friday beat Muhoroni Youth 2-1 to keep their faint survival hopes alive at Ruaraka Grounds.

George Maelo and Noah Abich struck on either side of the break to give Batoto ba Mungu only their fifth win of the season in the closely contested tie that saw Muhoroni end the match with 10 men after goalkeeper Farouk Shikahlo was sent-off in the second half.

Lnamba Bebeto scored Muhoroni's goal late on from the spot but the spluttering 2009 champions held on to claim their first league win since August 13.

It was an ill-tempered match that saw Shikalo showed a straight red card for his action of accosting striker Japheth Juma inside the box, paving way for rookie Timothy Igweta.

Maelo opened the scoring in the 10th minute, leaping in front to head in a long free kick floated by veteran Abich.

Muhoroni, who were crowned Top 8 champions just five days ago, degenerated in the 48th minute and Shikhalo was found guilty of intentionally bringing down Juma inside his territory.

Abich stepped forward to take the spot kick and didn’t miss, sending Igweta the wrong way before picking his spot in the middle.

In the 83rd minute, Muhoroni won a penalty of their own, and it was Bebeto who duly converted the spot kick to half the deficit for his team.

The result leaves Sofapaka still at the base of the table, but with a fighting chance as the 2016 season enters the home stretch.