Sofapaka fight back to hold Mathare Utd
Harisson Mwenda (left) of Mathare United and Sofapaka’s Collins Shivachi tussle for the ball during their Kenyan Premier League match at Nyayo Stadium on March 2, 2015. The match ended 1-1. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |
What you need to know:
- Mathare appeared particularly sharp with Noah Abich, Robinson Kamura and Edgar Ochieng repeatedly threatening Sofapaka goalkeeper David Okello.
- Dead ball specialist Abich came close at the half hour mark with a powerful free kick that went over the bar with the goalkeeper seemingly beaten.
Domestic cup holders Sofapaka registered a come-from-behind 1-1 draw with Mathare United in a seesaw Kenyan Premier League battle staged at the Nyayo National Stadium Thursday.
Daniel Mwaura and Enock Agwanda scored a goal apiece in the first half of the match to settle the affair.
Mathare appeared particularly sharp with Noah Abich, Robinson Kamura and Edgar Ochieng repeatedly threatening Sofapaka goalkeeper David Okello.
The visitors went ahead in the 12th minute when Daniel Mwaura released an unstoppable shot from a corner taken by Abich.
WORK TOWARDS EQUALIZER
The stunned Batoto ba Mungu unit then began to work towards an equalizer and it came in the form of a penalty in the 36th minute after Edgar “fighter” Ochieng accosted and felled Burundian Abdul Fiston inside the box. Kenya international Agwanda then sent the resultant penalty beyond goalkeeper Robert Mboya’s reach.
Dead ball specialist Abich came close at the half hour mark with a powerful free kick that went over the bar with the goalkeeper seemingly beaten.
Veteran John Baraza also had a chance for Sofapaka in the 76th minute with a breathtaking screamer sent from outside the box that went narrowly wide with custodian Mboya well beaten.
Mathare Unites assistant coach Collins Omondi congratulated his boys for their day’s display but bemoaned the referee’s decision to award the penalty.
“I am happy that we have managed to squeeze a point from this match because we were not able to do that last year. They have played very well and I’m sure that the opponent would not have managed that score if it were not for that soft penalty,” he said after the match.
