Sofapaka have prevented KCB from widening the gap at the top of the league standings after a slim but vital 1-0 win at Ruaraka grounds in their FKF Premier League clash on Saturday, May 29.
Sofapaka produced a stunning 1-0 result to jolt KCB’s chances of moving clear at the top of the FKF Premier League table ahead of second placed AFC Leopards.
Midfielder Lawrence Juma scored the winning goal for Batoto ba Mungu in the 35th minute to help end the team's run of two straight defeats in the top-flight.
The Bankers had come into the match sitting at the top of the 18-team table, tied on 36 points with AFC Leopards but ahead on goal difference, and knew a win would push them three points clear at the top.
It was Sofapaka who started the game on a high note and should have taken the lead in the 18th minute but, instead of looping the ball into the net, Curtis Wekesa tried his luck to bend it but the shot went over the bar.
But in the 35th minute, Batoto ba Mungu broke the deadlock with a fine run of play after Juma dribbled past the entire KCB defence before beating goalkeeper Joseph Ochuka with a low effort.
Sofapaka headed into the breather with a 1-0 lead and were a more rejuvenated side for the second period as Titus Achesa combined well with Juma, but the latter’s final decision could not yield any goals.
In the 73rd minute, Vincent Wasambo almost scored an equaliser for KCB but Sofapaka shot stopper Kevin Omondi was up to the task to clear his effort for a fruitless corner.
The win will ease the pressure on Ken Odhiambo's coached side after they had lost two straight matches, but the bruise on KCB will need a quicker bounce back if they are to remain in contention to win the title for the first time in history.