Two first-half goals from Humprey Okhoti,Charles Okwemba and another from Ezekiel Okare gave Sofapaka a 3-1 win over Western Stima in their Kenya Premier League tie at Moi Stadium in Kisumu on Sunday evening.
Batoto ba Mungu scored first through Charles Okwemba when he netted in the first half to give visitors the lead.
Sofapaka now have 3 points and occupying central positions on SportPesa Premiership log table with two matches having been played , while Western Stima are placed at No 18 with no point.
Although the match was delayed by ten minutes and got under way at 3:10pm, it started like a house on fire as the hosts began attacking with Moses Arita taking a shot but it went over Mathhew Kigoya’s posts in the fifth minute.
Just after 10 minutes, Western Stima created a good opportunity for Hubert Kopany he couldn’t have a good touch as he was watched by defender Mugambi.
In the 16th minute, Okwemba header gave the visitors a well deserved lead after placing the ball into the back of tge net from JamesKasibante free kick.
Humphrey Okhoti unleashed a shot outside of the box in front of the Westrrn Stima defence for the second goal.
Fredrick Nyarombo scored the lone goal for the homeside on the 42nd minute just three minutes to half-time break.
Following good ball possession in the second half by Sam Ssimbwa’s men, the powermen dispossessed them and received a set piece in the 52nd minute.
The set piece was delivered and Stima’ defence failed to deal with it as it landed in Kasibante James’s path, however, his shot was cleared but Vitalis Okumu looked to have handled the ball in the penalty area.
With 20 minutes of thematch remaining, Batoto ba Mungu exchanged nice passes and Ezekiel Okare Maluleka pounced on the far post to hand Sofapaka the win.
In the end, Henry Omino’s men failed to break Sofapaka’ defence and the one time league champions claimed the full three points.
Sofapaka XI: 1. Mathias Kigonya (GK), 8. George Maelo, 12. Jaffar Salim, 23. Okoti Humphrey, 6. Jonathan Mugabi, 4. Mohamed Kilume, 10. Paul Odhiambo, 11. Michael Oduor Lumumba, 18. Ezekiel Okare, 20. Charles Okwemba, 14. Kasibante James.
Western Stima XI: Samuel Odhiambo, Victor Oduor, Wesley Onguso, Maurice Ojwang, Vitalis Akumu, Fredrick Shimonyo, Moses Arita, Bernard Ondiek, Hubert Kopany, Fredrick Nyarombo, Kennedy Otieno
