Sofapaka stop stubborn Muhoroni

Sofapaka narrowed the gap between them and leaders Gor Mahia to a point after overcoming a stubborn Muhoroni Youth 1-0 in the Kenyan Premier League match at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos Sunday.

An enterprising Clifton Miheso scored the all-important goal in the 54th minute to stretch his seasons’ tally to five.

The left-footed midfielder, who joined the ‘Batoto Ba Mungu’ from Thika United and has been one of the stand-out performers this term for the Sam Timbe-coached side, put up a good performance on the evening to save his side the blushes.

Chances were few and far between in the first half with Sofapaka threatening through the flanks but Muhoroni defense refused to budge.

In the 21st minute, veteran John Baraza traded passes with Miheso who in turn raced down the middle to pick out Enock Agwanda, whose shot went inches off the far post. Timbe was satisfied with his team’s performance.

“We are just fine. The boys played well and the aim is  to  now focus on the next match .Victory is what  mattered  and as I said, we are taking one match at time,” said Timbe.

At the Afraha Stadium, Ulinzi Stars head coach, Robert Matano, got reprieve after his charges put up a solid display to earn three points after beating neighbours Top Fry 2-0 in Nakuru.

MADE CHANGES

Matano was forced to make change in the heart of midfield giving John Nairuka a start in the space left by skipper Stephen Ocholla who was suspended from the match on account of the red card picked in the ill-tempered barren draw against Gor Mahia last Wednesday and he justified his inclusion in the starting eleven with a fairly good performance, bagging the winner six minutes after the interval after navy corporal Evans Amuoka has scored early on in the first half.

Winger Stephen Waruru robbed Bernard Odhiambo of the ball at the edge of the area to pick Amuoka who completed the move by firing in and Nairuka who formerly turned out for Thika United made it 2-0 in the 51st minute. The win, which comes in the wake of a  0-0 draw against Gor last Wednesday and a shock 0-1 loss to KCB, hauled Ulinzi to position five on the standings on 35 points from 24 matches.

At the Thika Municipal Stadium,  hosts Thika United, shared the spoils with Mathare  United after fighting to a one- all draw. The visitors sprung to the lead via Robinson Kamura’s brilliantly taken free-kick flew to the corner of the net but Thika salvaged a point 15 minutes from time through Michael Olunga.