Sofapaka cage Zoo in Machakos

A resurgent Sofapaka side smacked Zoo Kericho 3-2 in a SportPesa Premier League match at Kenyatta stadium in Machakos on Sunday.

First half goals from Pistone Mutamba, Ellie Asieche and Umaru Kasumba put coach John Baraza in a perfect position with just three matches in-charge as they took their tally to 14 points, seven ahead of Zoo.

Danson Chetambe pulled one back from a penalty spot on 58 minutes, after his free kick from prime position was adjudged to have been handled by one of Sofapaka players, who had formed a five-man wall. Zoo skipper Johnston Ligare added their second deep in stoppage time, but it proved to be a mere consolation.

The hosts were wasteful, despite putting three in the net.

Sofapaka capitalised on the visitors' defensive naivety to bang three goals in a span of four minutes. Pistone Mutamba broke the deadlock on 23 minutes after pouncing on a back-pass to slot home.

Two minutes later, Ellie Asieche doubled the lead after being released by Dennis Odhiambo from the edge of the box, before the midfielder wriggled past Ligare and goalkeeper Martin Elung'at to bury home.

On 29 minutes, Stephen Waruru was denied by the upright, before Umaru Kasumba, who replaced the injured John Avirre on 18 minutes, netted the third goal on 33 minutes after being played in by Stephen Waruru from a nice interplay between the latter and Piston Mutamba, that left Zoo backline wagging in surprise.

Brian Magonya, who was outstanding in the middle of the park, exchanged passes with Asieche, who released Kasumba but the Ugandan's rasping shot was punched by his compatriot Martin Elungat in Zoo goal, Mutamba's rebound veered off the target, six minutes before the break.

Mutamba failed to complete a brace at the stroke of halftime after being teed up by Magonya.

The former Wazito forward, in a one -on-one-situation, attempted to round Elungat, but his goal-ward shot was blocked by Ligare who recovered in time to clear his lines.