Sofapaka moved to within six points of leaders Gor Mahia FC with a 3-2 win over Posta Rangers at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos. Felix Oluoch and Francis Nambute scored for Posta Rangers, but John Avire, Umaru Kasumba and George Maelo’s goals had already given Batoto ba Mungu a hearty advantage.
Sofapaka dominated proceedings in the first half and created numerous scoring opportunities. Posta posted the earliest opportunity at goal, Oluoch finding a cross inside the box unmarked but luckily headed wide.
Sofapaka grew into the game and in the 18th minute Kasumba connected to a cross from Brian Magonya, but it didn’t have enough sting to worry Posta keeper Eliud Emase. Two minutes later, Sofapaka created an even better chance when Kasumba picked out Ibrahim Kajuba with a decent cut-back but the midfielder’s effort was saved by the keeper.
But in the 27th minute, the deadlock was broken when Avire’s shot found its way past a packed defense after picking up a rebound from Maelo’s shot. The striker had scored just a minute after Emase had denied him with a one on one save.
Ten minutes after going ahead, Sofapaka had another opportunity when Titus Achesa wheeled his way into good shooting position from the left, but his right foot shot was wide.
Five minutes to the break, Posta were on the break with Oluoch again causing the danger, this time racing away on the left but his eventual shot came against the bar.
Sofapaka needed just three minutes in the second half to seal the game. On a counter, Kasumba broke the offside trap to round the keeper and tap home his 15th goal of the season. Two minutes later, Maelo scored the third when his dipping effort from range caught the keeper napping.
Posta though caused some scare with a fight back, Oluoch scoring one back in the 53rd minute after picking the ball unmarked from a defensive mishap. In the 71st minute, Nambute scored the second for Rangers when he pounced on a spill from Justin Ndikumana whose attempt at collecting a shot from John Nairuka wasn’t successful.
Despite some late pressure, Sofapaka managed to hold on to till the end of the game.