EVEN though they had been warned of Kenya Commercial Bank’s already evident high credentials, it was still a bit of a shock to champions Sofapaka when they were beaten 2-1 by the bankers in their Kenyan Premier League match at the National Stadium, Nairobi on Saturday. Elsewhere, another hitherto unbeaten team, Ulinzi Stars, dropped their 100% record when they were held 0-0 by the league’s rookies, Posta Rangers, who previously had only losses.

The “Sugar Belts Derby” ended with a satisfying 1-0 win for visiting Sony Sugar in a tense clash with the home team at Chemelil.

Before “live” SuperSport television cameras, Red Berets continue to be on the lime light for the wrong reasons, soaking their third loss of the season in as many matches.

Chemelil Sugar 0 Sony Sugar 1

It is now firmly established that Chemelil have a poor home record to grapple with. They lose in their backyard far too often and make plucky efforts away from home. Chemelil had just won plaudits by holding the mighty Mathare United to a draw in Nairobi. Come Saturday and Chamberi Marwa’s goal in end of first half added time to hand arch rivals Sony Sugar a win in front of unbelieving eyes of Chemelil supporters.

Hedmond Ochieng’ made the assist delivering a beautiful long ball from the centre of the pitch to the Sony’s inspirational forward Marwa who composed himself and also skillfully lobbed over the advancing Chemelil goalkeeper Fredrick Onyango.

Earlier, Chemelil had squandered an opportunity to go ahead via a penalty after their striker Willis Ouma was brought down in the box forcing centre referee Daniel Ongidi to point to the spot.

Amid the vehement protests of Sony players against the call Ouma stepped up to attempt the conversion. His kick was spectacularly saved by the Sony ‘keeper Evans Omondi who punched it for a corner.

The penalty save rejuvenated the Awendo boys who came back fighting .Marwa and strike partner Silas Aluvisia always looked dangerous.

The second half saw Sony dominate, with their left back, the Togolese import Jean Koffi, sending across many good passes.

Chemelil almost equalised in the 84th minute when substitute Jeffers Oluoch’s hard on-target shot caught Omondi off guard but the home team were saved by the ball striking the cross bar off Omondi’s hands.

Sony coach Rishadi Shedu was elated with the win. “My boys performed very well despite the hardship of playing away from home,

“The penalty save by our ‘keeper showed how everyone stepped up to play his role. It rejuvenated the team and the results have proven that the team is gelling now.”

Harambee Stars veteran Mike Muiruri who is now in charge at Chemelil said: “We were nervous, I have no idea why. But we shall work on the finishing that was quite a letdown.”

The man-of-the-match Marwa of Sony said: “I have regained my form. Playing away from home reduces the pressure on me and I hope to continue scoring… maintain my form”

TEAMS:

CHEMELIL - 30. Fredrick Onyango: 13.Willis Ouma, 20. Aggrey Mukhambo, 9. Charles Okumu, 15. Kizito Sikhai, 12. Enoch Sichangi, 6. Joseph Mwangi (26. Isaac Otudo, 73’), 18. George Odero (17. Ronny Opondo, 58’). 4. Kevin Ngugi (21. Jeffers Odongo, 65’) 8. Wycliffe Opondo (captain), 7. Milton Odera

Reserves not used - 22. Kenneth Onyach, 2. Samuel Otieno, 14. Jacob Mwangi, 25. Edward Nandi

Coach - Mike Mururi

SONY SUGAR - 21. Evans Omondi: 10. Kevin Oluoch (captain), 13. Silas Aluvisia (15. Moses Arita, 70’), 20. Frederick Onyango, 2. David Otieno, 6. Jean Koffi, 8. Hedmond Ochieng’ (16. Peter Juma, 75’), 9. Mohamed Yusuf, 12. Steve Biko, 3. Daniel Odhiambo, 7. Chamberi Marwa (28. Dodo Kayombo, 90’)

Reserves not used - 1. Collins Oduor, 17. Cyrus Shitote, 25. Hussein Puzzo, 5. Sylvester Wanyama

Scorer - 7. Chamberi Marwa (45+)

Coach - Rishadi Shedu

Referee - Daniel Ongidi (Kisii)

1st assistant referee - Titus Ochieng’ (Maseno)

2nd asst referee - Hassan Omondi (Bomet)

4th official - James Omondi (Nakuru)

KCB 2 Sofapaka 1

A come-from-behind win KCB resembled a boxer’s sucker punch as the bankers’ humbled champions Sofapaka at the National Stadium.

Ezekiel Odera (84th minute) and Geoffrey Maina (86’) did the finish off after Anthony Kimani had shot the champions into the lead on 54 minutes.

The bankers jumped clear to the top of the table with nine points and will stay there after Sunday matches if Tusker do not take all three points from Sher Karuturi in the televised match at the National Stadium.

It was not AFC Leopards or Gor Mahia clashing with Mathare United, Thika United or Tusker, but a fair crowd turned up to watch the KPL champions take on KCB.

Plenty of chances went untaken. But it could have been a disaster for the bankers if they had lost because their opportunities were far much more than Sofapaka’s. Daniel Waweru, Oscar Livondo and Job Endriseh had glorious breaks in the second half.

Sofapaka coach Robert Matano bemoaned overconfidence by his team.’ We lost fair and square. The only complaint I have I shall raise with my players. My boys must wake up!

“Every game should be like a final but they treated the match as a friendly. It was a substandard performance and they and showed unbelievable over confidence. I hope it has served a lesson.

“But we shall definitely come back with a bang.”

Leonard Saleh the KCB man in charge was all smiles: “We give God all the glory. We are building a new team with a new approach which is paying dividends.

“We saw Sofapaka slow down their pace in the dying minutes and my substitutions took that advantage to score the two goals. We always plan differently… according to our opponents, and I believe we shall maintain the same performance.”

TEAMS:

KCB -16. Daniel Oluoch: 4.Joseph Kangata, 6. Robert Syongo, 12. Joseph Apindi, 3.Samuel Olare, 14. Michael Oyando,10. Geoffrey Maina,11.Yusuf Abubakar (Capt.), (25.Tony Onguru, 59’), 9. Oscar Livondo (15. Geoffrey Maina,74’), 17. Job Endriseh,19. Daniel Waweru (23. Ezekiel Odera, 72’)

Reserves not used - 22. Caleb Adola, 13. Abdul Malik, 5. Mark Sanchez, 20. Eugene Asike

Scorers - 23. Ezekiel Odera (84’), 15. Geoffrey Maina (86’)

Coach - Leonard Saleh

SOFAPAKA - 29.Wilson Oburu:7.Thomas Wanyama, 6. Idrissa Rajab, 5. Edgar Ochieng’,15. Kilonzo Tumba (16. Mike Khamadi Luheni, 66’), 14. James Situma, Captain (3. Nicholas Muyoti, 46’), 20. Humphrey Mieno, 11. Anthony Kimani, 8. Laurent Tumba (17.Salim Khamis, 46’), 12. John Barasa, 9. Bob Mugalia

Reserves not used - 27. George Opiyo, 23. Robson Dondo, 22. Evans Wandera, 24. Abbas Akinyemi

Scorer - 11. Anthony Kimani (54’)

Coach - Robert Matano

Referee - Aggrey Demesi (Nakuru)

Posta Rangers 0 Ulinzi Stars 0

Posta Rangers scored their first league points holding pre-match favourites Ulinzi Stars to a barren draw at the City Stadium.

Rangers squandered several clear chances with the biggest culprit being Oscar Olwith and Jacob Opere in the dying minutes.

Red Berets 1 Western Stima 2

Red Berets took a 55th minute lead through Joseph Asudza after being put through by Gabriel Nduro.

The visiting Western Stima waged a war to recover the goal resulting into two quick goals, Brian Masiolo and Wesley Kemboi being on the mark in the 75th and 88th minutes.