Sofapaka Inch Back To Top, Leopards Fightback Claws Rangers
18th April 2019
Rejuvenated 12-time champions record fourth victory in six SportPesa Premier League outings in 3-1 victory over the mailmen
- In form Ingwe were given a scare when Rangers opened the scores in the fourth through Ken Nambute but Brian Marita leveled for the hosts 1-1 five minutes later before captain Robinson Kamura stretched the advantage to 2-1 in the 40th to give the winners the lead at half time.
- Isuza was injured in the original match where Leopards claimed there was inadequate equipment to treat him at the ambulance provided by the sugar millers, occasioning their protest the following morning
- On the other hand, Rangers were in buoyant mood before the Machakos encounter following their massive 6-2 demolition of Mount Kenya United FC at the venue last Sunday
MACHAKOS, Kenya- Sofapaka FC clawed their way back to the summit of the SportPesa Premier League despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Kariobangi Sharks FC as AFC Leopards SC resurgence continued with a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Posta Ranger FC in games on Thursday in Machakos.
In the other fixture of the triple header at Kenyatta Stadium, Tusker FC drew 0-0 with Sony Sugar FC.
The match where SPL champions, Gor Mahia FC were to visit Kakamega Homeboyz FC in Bukhungu Stadium was deferred to Friday.
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SportPesa Shield winners, Sharks went ahead against Sofapaka through George Abege in the 30th minute and they looked set to hold on to the victory until a minute from full time when Batoto ba Mungu star man, Umaru Kasumba rescued a point.
The result against the SportPesa Cup champions lifted Sofapaka to the summit on goal difference at the expense of Bandari FC who beat visiting KCB FC 2-1 in Mombasa on Wednesday, both sides locked on 45 points apiece.
Sharks (32) remained ninth after dropping points from a winning advantage yet again with Leopards (30), who recovered to dispatch the mailmen breathing down on their necks.
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In form Ingwe were given a scare when Rangers opened the scores in the fourth through Ken Nambute but Brian Marita leveled for the hosts 1-1 five minutes later before captain Robinson Kamura stretched the advantage to 2-1 in the 40th to give the winners the lead at half time.
Recovered Whyvonne Isuza extended the tally to 3-1 in the 47th with the 12-time league champions picking up their good form having seen their last fixture away to Sony Sugar FC abandoned twice on Sunday and Monday.
The outcome saw troubled Rangers dip to 15th a place above the relegation zone on 21.
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Leopards players headed to the encounter on the backdrop of a walk-out against Sony in Awendo after the latter failed to provide an equipped ambulance for their rescheduled SPL tie after the initial fixture was rained off with Ingwe 1-0 to the good.
Isuza was injured in the original match where Leopards claimed there was inadequate equipment to treat him at the ambulance provided by the sugar millers, occasioning their protest the following morning.
On the other hand, Rangers were in buoyant mood before the Machakos encounter following their massive 6-2 demolition of Mount Kenya United FC at the venue last Sunday.
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MIDWEEK SPL RESULTS
Mt Kenya United 4 3 Chemelil Sugar FC – Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos
Bandari FC 2 1 KCB FC – Mbaraki Sports Club, Mombasa
Mathare United 3 2 Nzoia Sugar FC – Kasarani
Western Stima 0 2 Ulinzi Stars – Moi Stadium, Kisumu
Zoo FC 1 0 Vihiga United – Green Stadium, Kericho
AFC Leopards 3 1 Posta Rangers – Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos
Sofapaka FC 1 1 Kariobangi Sharks FC-Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos
Tusker FC 0 0 Sony Sugar FC