Kapaito Runs Riot: Sharks Maul Nakumatt In 7-Goal SPL Spectacle
15th September 2018
Oratamal brace powers Leopards to within three points of second-placed Bandari with 2-1 victory in Manchakos
- Mathare United FC’s wait for victory at the Chemelil Sugar Complex will roll on to the 10th year
- Kapaito was the toast of the Sharks when he twice either side of half time to inspire his side to turn a 0-1 deficit into a handsome 5-2 victory
- At the Chemelil Complex, the tie was settled by Felix Oluoch who rattled the Mathare net in the first half as the home side increased their tally to 31 points to move up to 15th on the SPL log
- Oratamal, who has come in for some stick from some of the Leopards faithful, celebrated a brace that secured maximum points to keep their hopes of finishing as the bridesmaids to titleholders and arch rivals, Gor Mahia FC on track
NAIROBI, Kenya- Eric Kapaito helped himself to four goals as rampant Kariobangi Sharks FC battled back to sink Nakumatt FC 5-2 at Camp Toyoyo, Nairobi in a seven-goal SportPesa Premier League (SPL) spectacle on Saturday.
AFC Leopards SC moved to within three points of second-placed Bandari FC when the injury-ravaged Ingwe clawed a late 2-1 victory over Posta Rangers FC at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos thanks to a double from Nigerian striker, Alex Oratamal.
Earlier on Saturday, Mathare United FC’s wait for victory at the Chemelil Sugar Complex will roll on to the 10th year when the 2008 league winners went down 0-1 to the sugar millers who moved further away from relegation trouble.
Kapaito was the toast of the Sharks when he twice either side of half time to inspire his side to turn a 0-1 deficit into a handsome 5-2 victory after Nakumatt went ahead early through defender Kayata Amani.
Sydney Lokale came off the bench for
William Muluya’s side to notch a fifth late on as Sharks improved to sixth on
the log on 43 points.
Argentine head coach, Rodolfo Zapata, challenged his players to play for a place in the team next season ahead of their tricky contest against Rangers and his men responded by digging deep for victory that saw them improve to 51 from 30 games.
Oratamal, who has come in for some stick from some of the Leopards faithful, celebrated a brace that secured maximum points to keep their hopes of finishing as the bridesmaids to titleholders and arch rivals, Gor Mahia FC on track.
Oratamal who joined the SPL in June put Ingwe in front with a classy header with the game 20 minutes old when the Nigerian converted a brilliant cross from Brian Marita to give Gradus Ochieng' in the Rangers goal no chance inside the opening quarter.
After opposite custodian, Ezekiel Owade pulled off a great stop to keep his team ahead, Gershon Likono hauled Rangers back to the contest when he claimed the equaliser in the 32nd, beating the Leopards goalie when he was put through on goal.
Exchange passes
Zapata's side had themselves to blame when Joseph Nyaga and Cavin Odongo were given the freedom to exchange passes inside the Leopards half by a static defence before combining to spring the goal scorer through for 1-1 at half time.
Four minutes past the hour, Oratamal had a chance to claim his double but Ochieng' came rushing off his line to deny the Ingwe striker.
Vincent Oburu then had a goal chalked off for offside but there was no denying the Nigerian the headlines in the 84th when he produced the winner.
The result put the dockers under pressure to restore their six-point lead over the 12-time domestic winners when they travel to Kericho to take on Zoo Kericho FC on Sunday.
At the Chemelil Complex, the tie was
settled by Felix Oluoch who rattled the Mathare net in the first half as the
home side increased their tally to 31 to move up to 15th on the SPL log.
Mathare (42) dropped to eighth following the defeat having missed out on doing a first ever league double over the sugar millers.
They came close to scoring when Daniel Mwaura saw his dangerous pass hacked away by Morris Wandera moments before they conceded the goal that ultimately undid them.
Champions Gor (71) who wrapped up their record-extending 17th crown with six games to spare, are away to Thika United FC (20) on Sunday with the basement side who have two games in hand over Chemelil needing nothing short of victory to keep their slim hopes of holding on to their SPL status next season alive.
The lead up to this contest at Thika Sub-County Stadium has been dominated by news K'Ogalo players are on strike protesting over non-payment of their August payment as well as winning bonuses accruing to six SPL victories.
Wazito FC who are battling against returning to the second division National Super League will play the first of the SPL double header at Kericho Green Stadium starting at 2pm local time (+3GMT) when they take on the might of Ulinzi Stars FC (44) in fifth who are still in the hunt for a second finish.
Frank Ouna's Wazito (27) are second from bottom, enjoying a seven-point cushion over Thika but are four adrift of safety with the team directly above them on the log, Vihiga United FC (30) out to leapfrog Chemelil when they host improving Sony Sugar FC.
Sunday's other SPL clash will be a 'western derby' at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega where hosts Kakamega Homeboyz (37) in 10th welcome Nzoia United FC (34), the side three places below them.
Saturday SPL results
Chemelil Sugar 1 - 0 Mathare United
Nakumatt 2 - 5 Kariobangi Sharks
AFC Leopards 2 - 1 Posta Rangers
Sunday SPL fixtures (3pm unless indicated)
Thika United vs Gor Mahia – Thika
Kakamega Homeboyz vs Nzoia Sugar – Bukhungu
Vihiga United vs Sony Sugar – Mumias
Ulinzi Stars vs Wazito-Kericho (2pm)
Zoo FC vs Bandari FC-Kericho (4:15pm)