Kenya’s Sportpesa Premier League week three went down over the weekend in a dramatic fashion.
Off the field, Sony Sugar head coach Leonard Odipo confirmed his resignation from the Awedo side on Sunday morning only to take back the job in the evening. The former Tusker FC assistant coach cited a hostile working environment for his decision to quit; this after he lost the second league match in a row to visiting Ushuru FC 1-0. But after a word with Sony management, the youthful tactician was handed back his job.
Mathare United produced a spectacular performance handing Sofapaka their second heaviest defeat in Kenya’s top league history. The 5-2 triumph was Mathare United’s first away victory in eleven months since 1-3 win over Thika United in March 2015.
Wycliffe Ochomo scored his third for Muhoroni Youth, grabbing a brace against Thika United in a 2-1 win which took them to joint second on the log with Tusker, on 6 points each.
Gor Mahia and Bandari FC were engaged in continental action; against CNAPS of Madagascar away in the CAF Champions League and at home to St. Eloi Lupopo in the CAF Confederations Cup respectively – both were eliminated, and they will be back to continue with league matches.
Saturday 27
City Stars 1-2 Tusker, Machakos Stadium
The Brewers bounced back to winning ways after losing 2-0 to Ulinzi last week to edge out hard fighting City Stars 2-1. The three points took them to second on log with six points same as Muhoroni Youth.
Paul Nkata’s boys started on the wrong footing conceding an own goal through defender Eugene Asike in the 8th minute, but they managed to rally from behind to grab the win, with Ekaliani Ndolo and Humphrey Mieno scoring in the second half.
Sony Sugar 0-1 Ushuru, Awendo Green Stadium
Coach Ken Kenyatta made good his word to kick start his season against Sony Sugar, hitting them by a solitary goal to bag the first three points of the 2016 season.
The early strike came in the 6th minute through Maurice Odipo. Ushuru are now 10th on the SPL log with four points, while Sony are second from behind.
The loss proved quite costly for Sony head coach Leonard Odipo who had to throw in the towel claiming frustrations; he however took back the job after assurances of support from the club’s management.
Sofapaka 2-5 Mathare United, Machakos Stadium
2008 champions Mathare United sounded a warning to other title contenders with a well crafted 5-2 thumping of ten man Sofapaka to assume early league leadership.
The win was Mathare’s first away victory in eleven months. They are now top of the league with 7 points – Sofapaka completes the top ten with three points.
Roy Syamba scored the first goal for the Slum Boys in the 5th minute, before the 2015 midfielder of the year Eric Johana hit the second in the 35th minute. Obadiah Ndege made it three at the stroke of half time for a comfortable 3-0 scoreline.
On resumption, Batoto Ba Mungu threatened a come back hitting two goals in quick succession, through Brian Nyakan in the 46th minute, and Heritier Luvualu’s penalty in the 50th minute.
Noah Abich however thwarted the comeback dream with the fourth goal, also from the spot in the 58th minute. Patrick Mugendi received a direct red card in the 69th minute, reducing Sofapaka to ten men.
Obadiah Ndege did not hesitate to take advantage of the numerical advantage, grabbing a brace in the 70th minute, the fifth and the final of the evening for the Francis Kimanzi’s side.
Sunday 28
Posta Rangers 1-1 Western Stima, Machakos
Timothy Otieno scored his third goal of the season for Posta Rangers in the 15th minute, but it wasn’t enough to secure three points, as Wesley Kemboi hit back in the 26th minute for visiting Stima to deny coach Zedekiah Otieno the second victory of the season.
Posta lies 4th on the SPL table with 5 points, while Stima are 7th with 4 points.
Kakamega Homeboyz 0-1 Chemelil FC
Chemelil FC recovered from Mathare loss last week to claim the first three points of the season with a 1-0 win over host KK Homeboyz. Denis Onkangi was on the mark as Homeboyz suffered second loss on the trot – they crushed 2-0 in the hands of Kenya Cup holders Bandari last week in Mombasa.
The win is a big relief for Coach Francis Baraza whose team drew the first match 0-0 against Gor Mahia before losing 1-0 to Mathare United in their second fixture.
Chemelil climbed to 9th on the league table with 4 points, while Homeboyz are 12th with 3points.
Thika United 1-2 Muhoroni Youth, Thika Municipal Stadium
Cane Cutters Muhoroni Youth beat Thika United 2-1 at their backyard, to register back to back victories.
Wycliffe Ochomo scored a brace in the 3rd and 41st minutes to secure the three points, as the team jumped to joint second with Tusker FC on the league table, all on six points a piece.
Ugandan Brian Toorach scored the consolation goal for the Thika United who are now third from the bottom with just a point from three matches.
Gor Mahia will travel to Nakuru to face Ulinzi Stars on Wednesday 2, while Bandari will be away to AFC Leopards on the same day at Nyayo,Nairobi.
@bonfaceosano
