Mathare United, Sofapaka extend poor season start after sharing points
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 21.09.24. | 17:13
Both teams were guilty of wasting clear cut chances especially in the first half
Former league champions Sofapaka and Mathare United have extended their winless start to the 2024-2025 Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) campaign after labouring to a one-all draw on Saturday at the Police Sacco Grounds.
Mathare, who returned to the top tier in June after a season in the National Super League (NSL) were coming off a barren draw and a 4-0 defeat to Kakamega Homeboyz and AFC Leopards respectively.
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Sofapaka, on the other hand, lost their opening fixture of the campaign 1-0 to the Jackline Juma-led FC Talanta last weekend at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.
Before, centre referee Stephen Rimba blasted the first whistle, both teams and fans at the facility observed a minute of silence in honour of fallen Ulinzi Starlets head coach Joseph Wambua.
In what was a clear tale of a game of two halves, Mathare bossed the proceedings in the opening stanza but could not keep up with the pace in the closing half which Sofapaka dominated.
Mathare broke the deadlock, and registered the first goal of the season for the Slum Boys, in the 18th minute through Paul Kinyanjui who let fly a shot from outside the box after Elly Asieche put him through.
Clear-cut chances fell their way in the half but lack of cutting edge in the final third worked against their bid to add more goals and seal the tie.
Coach John Kamau threw in fresh legs before restart in what was supposed to inject vigour into the team but that was not the case as the midfield collapsed, allowing Sofapaka room to grow into confidence.
The 2009 league champions would level matters in the 69th minute through Benjamin Mosha who poked home the ball from close range after Fidel Otieno blocked the initial attempt.
Mara extend sweet start
While Mathare and Sofapaka continue the search for the first win, debutants Mara Sugar secured their second win of the campaign after humbling Nairobi City Stars 1-0 at the Awendo Green Stadium.
Dennis Cheruiyot scored the all-important goal in the second half to gurantee the millers maximum points as well as preserve their unbeaten run at home.
The result means that City Stars are also in the hunt for the first win of the season as they were coming off a 1-1 draw against Bidco United.
Mara, who were promoted alongside Mathare United, had lost the previous round 1-0 away to Bandari.
Leopards back to winning ways
AFC Leopards redeemed themselves, following last weekend's 1-0 loss to Posta Rangers, with a 1-0 win over Bidco United at Thika Stadium.
Sydney Lokale was the difference in the game as his late goal saw Ingwe pick maximum points for the second time in the season.
The results, leaves Bidco in the search for the first win of the campaign having failed to win in their previous two matches against Nairobi City Stars and Shabana.
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