Tusker make Leopards groggy as Sofapaka claw past Mathare Utd

Former AFC Leopards star Dennis Mukaisi returned to haunt his former club as ‘Ingwe’ fell 2-0 to Tusker in the Kenyan Premier League on Sunday.

On a day day that Sofapaka’s and Tuskers’ season got off to a great start with victories at the Nyayo National Stadium, Mukaisi netted a brace to silence Leopards fans at the Nyayo Stadium.

Sofapaka registered a 2-1 win over Mathare United.

Sofapaka’s coach Ezekiel Akwana was elated at the victory as John Njoroge, a former Tusker player, and Humphrey Mieno earned the points for the 2009 champions in a closely contested tie.

Mathare United were the better side through the game but Sofapaka’s experience ruled the day.

Mathare’s old boy Titus Mulama was the difference between the two sides controlling that proceedings all through and the victory was sweet for the 31-year-old whose transfer from Mathare was controversial.

“It’s so good to have won the three points. It was emotional to play against Mathare United, the club they put me in the fore but I am a professional, I was a Mathare United player but my life has moved on and I am now at Sofapaka,” said Mulama.

Mieno ,who put up a man of the match performance, was a constant threat throughout the game, its like he wanted to send a messages to the national team that he deserves a position.

His control of the ball was perfect, he dictated the pace, created the moves as Sofapaka struggled to make inroads through the Mathare United defence.

Kevin Kimani, scorer of the Mathare’s lone goal, severally found way into the Sogfapaka rear but the finish was poor.

Goalkeeper Zachariah Onyango, standing in for Wilson Oburu, made several saves from the marauding Mathare strikers who fought gallantly to get an equaliser but no avail.

Sofapaka may celebrate the victory but they struggled to collect the three points in a game the was evenly contested.

“You have to be at your best when you play Mathare United. I have been there I know they fight to the last minute and I am happy with our star,” said Akwana who gives way to Kimanzi next month.