KCB have complicated their bid to close in on Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) log leaders Kenya Police after falling 2-0 to ten-man Sofapaka at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos. The Bankers had hoped to bag maximum points and move to three points within the reach of Police, but were shocked by the former champions, who had to do with a man down in the final 20 minutes of the clash. Considered a title contender in the season, KCB struggled to create anything meaningful especially in the first half which was largely off-colour for both teams. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8711019##Sofapaka, on the other hand, made good use of the chances created to return to winning ways after four matches as well as extent their unbeaten run over KCB to five matches. There was little to write home about the first half until when Jack Ong’anya headed a corner to give Sofapaka the lead in the 36th minute. The towering midfielder reaped the fruits of good positioning as he comfortably connected with the ball at the farthest post to break the deadlock. Signed and sealed: Odada on loan until the end of the seasonKCB were expected to offer swift response, surprisingly, were sluggish and careless in possession as well as appeared to lack ideas in the final third. This prompted coach Patrick Odhiambo to ring changes before restart where Faraj Ominde and Derrick Otanga came in for Derrick Otieno and December Kisaka. The fresh legs did little to break Sofapaka’s resolve to hold on the advantage and game play that was largely dependent on Ong’anya, who expertly dictated play in the absence of Humphrey Mieno. Sofapaka were in full control of the proceedings and leading KCB 1-0 until hell broke loose in the 67th minute when Charles Junior was sent off for a dangerous tackle.Why highly-rated Rising Stars midfielder chose KCB over move to EuropeJunior landed his studs on Vincent Ondabu’s shoulders forcing centre referee Peter Kamaku to reach to his pocket and flash a red card to Junior.Two minutes after the defender received his marching orders, the KCB bench reacted by withdrawing centre back Francis Oduor for attacking midfielder Danson Kiprono, in a bid to level matters. However, Sofapaka would score the second goal in the 72nd minute, against the run of play, as Edward Omondi bullied KCB defender Manzur Okwaro, winning a long ball before slotting the ball past Bonphas Munyasa.Okwaro failed to deal with Donato Okello’s long clearance with Omondi capitalizing on the situation to bully the young defender, whom he left on the deck and passed the ball into the back of the net.With the two-goal advantage on their side, Sofapaka committed numbers to their half and proved equal to the task as they held on the pressure up to the final whistle.Pamzo lauds team’s character after Sharks drawDespite introducing more attack-minded players and controlling the final quater, KCB could not poke holes in the Sofapaka defence and consequently, find themselves five points off the pace.The gap between them and Police could swell to eight points if the Law Enforcers manage to get all three against Bidco United later in the afternoon.
