KCB bag first win over rejuvenated Sofapaka

Despite having the luxury to field their new signings, Sofapaka's torrid form extended following a 2-1 loss at the hands of KCB FC courtesy of a second half strikes from Robinson Kamura and James Mazembe in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) clash staged at the Thika Sub County Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

KCB assistant coach Godfrey Oduor was delighted to finally pick the team's first victory and was also impressed with how his team responded in the second half.

"The game was good, we thank God that we managed to get a win, it was very important because you find that we were able to play three matches and registered two wins and a loss, to come back and win the match was very important and it motivates the whole group,"

"We had a chance to analyze how Sofapaka were playing at half time and we made adjustments to and I would really commend the players because the second ball came out of something that we talked about at half time," said Oduor.

Sofapaka has some welcome boost to the squad as their transfer embargo was temporarily lifted handing a chance to the new signings to feature as Wilberforce Lugogo was handed a start with Dan Guya, Said Tsuma, Hansel Ochieng and Fredrick Omondi getting a place on the bench.

The opening exchanges was a tightly fought battle with none of the teams dominating possession but Sofapaka who were winless in the last two matches managed to create few opportunities.

Ken Odhiambo stunned the few gathered around Thika Sub County Stadium when he withdrew Kevin Otieno for Hansel Ochieng who got straight into the thick of things when he floated in a cross that was headed in goal by Stephen Okolla but his effort was straight at Gabriel Andika who comfortably collected the ball.

The Bankers came close in the 34th minute when James Mazembe rose tall to cushion his header to Henry Onyango but a last ditch intervention from David Nshimirimana saw his effort deflect for a corner as the two teams went into the break with their cleansheets intact.

Second half

Odhiambo rung the changes again at the start of the second half introducing Jacob Onyango for Alex Imbusia as Waithira was also rested for Karisa Robert.

The second half also saw little action with Zico going for the jugular by rolling out the fresh wheels of Samuel Mwangi and Michael Oduor for skipper Simon Munala and Derrick Otanga.

A lapse in concentration from Kevin Omondi in goal handed KCB an indirect freekick from the edge of the box after bouncing the ball out of the box when attempting to play a quick restart.

Simon Mwangi and Robinson Kamura stepped up to the plate with the former rolling the ball to Kamura whose curling effort proved to much for Omondi in goal despite his best effort to keep the ball out as the ball pinged off the upright and trickled into the net in the 75th minute.

Sofapaka almost responded immediately when a long ball fell kindly for Hansel Ochieng but he lacked composure as he blazed his effort over the bar three minutes later.

With Sofapaka throwing bodies forward in pursuit of salvaging at least a point from the game, KCB hit with a lightening quick counter that ended with Henry Onyango floating in a ball that was headed in by James Mazembe for his first goal in KCB colors following his transfer from Kariobangi Sharks.

Sofapaka grabbed a consolation goal in the first minute of stoppage time when David Kingatua delivered a sumptuous freekick that was nodded in by Stephen Okolla to put some respect on the scoreline for Batoto ba Mungu but KCB held on to claim maximum points.

Sofapaka XI: Kevin Omondi, Sifuna Amborse, Titus Achesa, Stephen Okola, David Nshiriminama, Roy Okal, Sunday Ikekhai, Kelvin Otieno (Hansel Ochieng), Joseph Waithira (Karisa Robert), Wilberforce Lugogo, Alex Imbusia(Jacob Onyango).

Subs: David Okello, David Owino, Daniel Odiwor, Rama Mwenda, Curtis Wekesa

KCB XI: Gabriel Andika, Harun Thomas, Dennis Odhiambo, Nashon Alembi, Robinson Kamura, Michael Mutinda, Simon Munala (Samuel Mwangi), Mohamed Kilume, Derrick Otanga Michael Oduor), Henry Onyango, James Mazembe.

Subs: Fredrick Odhiambo, Said Tsuma, Dan Guya, Hamidi Omondi