CHAMPIONS Sofapaka lost their second match in a row in the new Kenyan Premier League season when they were stunned by a second half deciding goal by AFC Leopards at the National Stadium, Nairobi on Wednesday night.

In the 65th minute Cameroon import Itubu Imbem hit a 30 metre scorcher of a shot from a difficult angle on the right flank, squeezing the ball via the near post past Sofapaka goalie Zachary Onyango who was playing instead of the regular Kenya international Wilson Oburu who was not even a substitute.

The match under floodlight and broadcast “live” on SuperSport was a most entertaining affair and at both ends, strikers missed spectacular chances. Dimonde Selenge, the Leopards ex-Sofapaka man who was a thorn in the flesh of his old team was the first to miss in the ninth minute.

Sofapaka should have gone ahead in the 22nd minute when Nigerian Abbas Akinyemi making his first start had a great opportunity and later Anthony Kimani was denied by good goalkeeping by Leopards ‘keeper Lawrence Webo.

Bob Mugalia also came very close for Sofapaka as did Imbem for Leopards before his match winning goal.

TEAMS:

SOFAPAKA - 1. Zachary Onyango: 23. Robson Dondo, 6. Idrisa Rajab, 5. Edgar “Fighter” Ochieng’, 16. Mike Khamadi Luheni, 3. Nicholas Muyoti (14. James Situma, 84’), 20. Humphrey Mieno, 11. Anthony Kimani (17. Salim Khamis, 82’), 9. Bob Mugalia, 24. Abbas Akinyemi (12. John Baraza, 60’), 8. Laurent Tumba

Reserves not used – 27. George Opiyo, 26. Andrew Oyombe, 2. Harry Gentle, 22. Evans Wandera

Coach (assistant) – John “Bobby” Ogolla

AFC LEOPARDS – 16. Lawrence Webo: 5. Edwin Wafula, 6. Milton Milimu, 2. Gregory Nyapala, 4. Martin Imbalabala, 18. Franklin Osama, 8. Samuel Mise, 31. Bernard Mangoli, 28. Peter Wainaina (7. Ekene Umeke, 90+), 11. Itubu Imbem, 17. Dimonde Selenge

Scorer – 17. Dimonde Selenge (65’)

Coach - Chris Makokha

Referee - Sylvester Musonye