Sofapaka edged out AFC Leopards 4-3 in post match penalties after a one-all draw to lift the Jamhuri Day Cup on Monday afternoon at the Nyayo National Stadium.The match, that was initially penciled for Saturday was moved to Monday as part of the Jamhuri Day Celebrations. With the win, Leopards get three league points and the Jamhuri Day trophy.The start of the duel was sloppy with both teams losing the balls easy. A couple of corners for both sides did not amount to much in the early exchanges of the game.Sofapaka Jamhuri Cup Winners!!!F.T Sofapaka 1(4) -1 (3) AFC Leopards#FKFPL pic.twitter.com/0Ms17lIcA9— Football Kenya Federation (@Football_Kenya) December 12, 2022 Against the run of play, Ingwe won a penalty in the 13th minute. Lewis Bandi found Jaffari Owiti with a long ball from deep in midfield and as the forward raced towards goal, he was brought down by Ambrose Sifuna, a spot kick was awarded.Perhaps haunted by the ghosts of missing last weekend’s spot kick, Ojo Olaniyi did not go anywhere near the penalty area, letting assistant captain Washington Munene beat Mathias Kigonya from 12 yards. The left back nearly made it 2-0 in the 21st minute but his wicked shot cum cross hit the roof of the net.Sofapaka had a great chance to draw level in the 24th minute when Davies Kasirye received a pass just outside the area, but with Levis Opiyo slightly off his line, the forward somehow shot directly at the keeper’s waiting arms.Sofapaka win the Jamhuri Day trophyPenalty KicksAFC Leopards ✔️✔️❌️✔️❌️Sofapaka FC ✔️✔️✔️❌️✔️#Betika #OursForever #INGWE— AFC Leopards (@AFCLeopards) December 12, 2022 After the half hour mark, Batoto ba Mungu started to show more ambition. They deployed the long-ball approach which somehow caused the visitors some problems. Both teams had a couple of half chances that bore no fruits just before the interval.The hosts came out strongly after the interval causing Ingwe all sorts of problems at the back. Sunday Ikekhai saw his shot from the edge of the area narrowly go over. The long-ball approach appeared to shake Leopards’ rearguard but Sofapaka’s lack of precision in front of goal saw Leopards get away with a number.Peter Thiong’o nearly made it 2-0 in the 65th minute but his freekick yards from the halfway line with as tipped over by Kigonya for a corner kick. Substitute Roddy Manga had a good chance to draw his side level in the 75th minute but he shot wide from inside the area whilst unmarked.Kayci Odhiambo’s long awaited return from injury ended in the 68th minute when he was replaced by Collins Shivachi after what was largely a decent shift at the back.FTSofapaka 1-1 AFC Leopards#FKFPL#RadullLive pic.twitter.com/pEI2DOiggF— @RadullLive (@radulllive) December 12, 2022 From a set-piece Sofapaka got the equaliser through Manga in the 84th minute. The Congolese striker scored in a scrappy fashion after Leopards failed to clear a loose ball inside the penalty area. The striker should have won it stoppage time but he somehow skied his effort from the goal area.With the match tied at full time. The teams shared the spoils in the league but the winner of the Jamhuri Cup had to be decided from the spot.In post match penalties, Mathias Kigonya, Davies Kasirye, Lucky Musyoka, and Stephen Okola scored for Sofapaka, Alex Imbusia missed. Washington Munene, Giovanni Lukhumwa and Maxwell Otieno scored for AFC Leopards while Ojo Olaniyi and Brian Wanyama missed.Sofapaka Starting XI: Mathias Kigonya, Nixon Omondi, Ambrose Sifuna, Stephen Okola, David Nshimirimana, Roy Okal, Sunday Ikekhai, Geofrey Ojung’a, Davies Kasirye, Joseph Waithira, Titus AchesaSubs: Kevin Omondi, Brian Wepo, Ronack Otieno, Ben-Stanley Omondi, Kevin Okoth, Lucky Mweu, Sammy Rono, Alex Imbusia, Roddy MangaAFC Leopards Starting XI: Levis Opiyo, Peter Thiong’o, Washington Munene, Kayci Odhiambo, Robert Mudenyu, Lewis Bandi, Giovanni Lukhumwa, Brian Wanyama, Jaffari Owiti, Ojo Olaniyi, Eugene MukangulaSubs: Maxwell Muchesia, Boniface Mukhekhe, Owen Mboya, Erick Mbithi, Maxwell Otieno, Collins Shivachi, Zachariah Njite
