By Bonface Osano,
SOFAPAKA ended Western Kenya tour on a low note picking a single point from possible six; Batoto Ba Mungu fell to Stima 3-1 over the weekend away in Kisumu before today’s 1-1 draw against Muhuroni Youth in another away match, in a midweek fixture that was staged at Muhoroni Stadium in Awasi.
The match kicked off an hour early at 2PM due to fear of rain that never was, the afternoon weather was just perfect for the highly entertaining play that was displayed by the two sides.
Influential attacking midfielder Abbas Akinyemi put hosts ahead by half hour mark from the spot after SOFAPAKA defender Yusouh handled the ball in the box to wild celebrations from home fans; this rattled SOFAPAKA bench which responded by effecting an early sub bringing on experienced and the reigning KPL player of the year Ekaliani Ndolo for wasteful Bagoole in the 33rd minute. Nothing was forthcoming and the match headed into the breather with hosts still in the driving seat.
The second half saw SOFAPAKA push forward more for an equalizer with Youths applying time wasting tactics to frustrate their opponents.
Kevin Omondi hit the post from a well taken free kick just outside the box in the 50th minute to add more frustrations on Sofapaka’s technical bench which kept complaining about the hosts delaying tactics.
Goal poacher vintage Baraza came on for Mwaniki to help pill pressure on Muhoroni Youth and it paid off in the 75th minute when defender Shivachi stepped forward to drive home a free kick outside the box after a foul on SOFAPAKA player to draw matters level.
The search for the illusive winner intesified with both teams giving as much as they received but it was Muhoroni Youth who landed the best chance to restore the lead in the 88th minute when Wafula beat his marker inside the box only to shoot wide on the left with just the keeper David Okello to beat.
SOFAPAKA are now placed 10th in the KPL log with 6 points from 5 matches while Muhoroni are 12th with the same number of points after 6 matches, the two are separated by goal difference.
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