Sofapaka players celebrating after Collins Shivachi equalised against Sony Sugar on October 17 at Afraha Stadium. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya.
NAKURU, October 17 – Struggling Sofapaka came from behind twice to deny visitors Sony Sugar as both sides settled for a 2-2 stalemate in the first leg of the Kenyan Premier League Top 8 at Afraha Stadium on Saturday.
The draw was to Sony’s advantage who got their away goals from Byron Odiaga and Victor Ademba while Ekhaliana Ndolo and Collins Shivachi netted for Sofapaka.
The first half saw all the goals scored from set pieces with three coming from corner kicks as the Sugar Millers dominated the proceedings.
Unmarked Odiaga struck first for Sony in the 11th minute after turning in from the corner before Ndolo levelled for Batoto Ba Mungu at the half hour mark after powerfully nodding home a Fuadi Ndayisenga corner.
Towards the breather, both sides lost concentration at the back to see two goals scored in a space of three minutes with Ademba heading in a Sekayombya Andrew corner in the 43rd to restore the lead.
A thunderbolt free kick by Shivachi at the stroke of half time ensured Sofapaka equalise for a 2-2 score line at the breather.
No goals were scored in the last half despite the visitors resuming a re-energised side to pin down Batoto Ba Mungu but a good build up started by Marwa Chamberi went to a waste after keeper, David Okello denied Robert Omunuk from a tight angle.
Veteran forward, John Baraza could give the 2009 SportPesa Premier League champions the winner three minutes to the final whistle but the captain failed to become the hero of the match when delayed to pull the trigger from close range for defender to clear the danger.
Both sides will be seeking to win the annual knock out tournament for the first time but its Batoto Ba Mungu who wants it more since its the only silverware they are chasing this season.
Sony will host the second leg in a venue and date to be decided by organisers.
