Sofapaka players in a previous KPL clash. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
NAIROBI, July 26 – Sofapaka head coach, Sam Timbe heaved a sigh of relief after his side returned to winning ways in a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over hosts Bandari in a thrilling Kenyan Premier League (KPL) clash at Mombasa’s Mbaraki Stadium on Sunday.
Fuadi Ndayisenga and substitute Herman Wasswa overturned a 1-0 first-half deficit for the GOtv Shield champions who were trailing at the break courtesy of Musa Mudde’s 37th minute opener.
Elsewhere, Muhoroni Youth upset nine-man Ulinzi Stars 2-1 to see the Soldiers go down for the first time in five matches.
Ulinzi’s Oliver Ruto was the first to be sent off in the 81st for a second bookable offence before Muhoroni’s Wycliffe Nyangechi and Oscar Wamulwa followed suit in the third minute of added time.
Other matches saw Nairobi City Stars hold Chemelil Sugar to 1-1 draw in Machakos whilst at Nairobi’s City Stadium, Paul Kiongera scored twice as KCB played to a 2-2 stalemate with Mathare United.
In Mombasa, Sofapaka finally got their act together to bounce back from a humiliating 5-0 nightmare Tusker FC thrashing to pick maximum points to remain third on 36 points, 10 behind leaders and champions Gor Mahia who are away on Cecafa Kagame Cup assignment.
The Dockers had the better part of the opening half that saw Anthony Kimani waste a set-piece from the edge of the box while for Batoto Ba Mungu, David Mbatiye came close but he blasted over a John Baraza cross from midfield
Sofapaka skipper, Felly Mulumba and defence partner Maurice Odipo were solid to deny Kimani and Shaban Kenga, but old boy Mudde managed to break through in the 37th minute from a shot from the edge of the box.
The 2009 champions resumed a re-energised side, with Mulumba seeing his header missing the target by inches in the 53rd but Ndayisenga pulled them deservedly level when he beat Bandari keeper, Wilson Obungu with a well curled free-kick to the far post.
Timbe pulled out goal scorer, Ndayisenga for Wasswa in the 62nd, with the Ugandan taking only seven minutes to send Batoto Ba Mungu ahead in an inspired change.
Wasswa scored from a Collins Shivachi rebound that was punched by Obungu.
Sofapaka custodian, Evariste Mutuyimana was put to test in the dying minutes, but stood tall to finger tip Kenga’s free-kick before stopping Kimani’s shot that was cleared by Odipo.
