2009 league champions Sofapaka all but confirmed their status in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) next season following their 0-0 draw against KCB on Monday afternoon at Kasarani Annex.With the point earned from the drab Round 30 affair, the David Ouma coached side, who have a healthy goal difference of -5 moved to 35 points, twelve ahead of Wazito who sit in the relegation playoff spot on 23 points (-28) with only four games to play.”KCB beat us in the first leg and they came knowing they will take the points to keep them in the title race. But I am glad my team managed to take that away from them being they are a title contending team. We managed to nullify their strong points but also our keeper kept us in the game with some crucial saves,”Ouma said.”We planned for a win in this game but we did not manage to do that but that is football so we take the one point with dignity and move on to the next game. Our forward line was once again not sharp despite the chance we created and that is an areas that has been affecting us bot only in the game today,” KCB’s Zedekiah Otieno said.In a game that had promised to be end to end judging by the opening five minutes, the countable fans who attended the match were quickly left to watch a drab affair as both sides played some uninspiring encounter afterwards.Batoto Ba Mungu had been the first ones to send an early warning shot just two minutes when South Sudanese international Jacob Panoam found a loose ball in the box. Although his strike was on target, KCB custodian Bryne Omondi hit a smart low save to keep out the attacker’s attempt.The Bankers then hit immediately on the counter with two chances of their own as Henry Onyango exploited space between Elvis Ronack and Nixon Omondi down Sofapaka’s left side before squaring an inviting cut back to Musa Masika.Despite just having the keeper between him and the back of the net, the diminutive player, who elected to go for power when a little finesse could have gotten the job done, saw his effort saved by Kevin Omondi.AFCON 2027: President Ruto throws weight behind EAC Pamoja Bid##NAJAVA_MECA_7251999##Onyango’s poor decision making on the second attempt that came through the same route was snuffed out after the defensive line managed to retreat just in time.That bright start quickly fizzled out with the only exception in the first 45 minutes coming again on the half hour mark when Ben Stanley’s wicked free kick delivery almost found itself in the back of the net had the KCB players and goalkeeper not been alive to the danger.The second period was a similar affair to the first with both teams struggling to find the clear cut chances on goal as the deadlock remained intact.Panoam tried an acrobatic kick on the 59th minute but his effort was well spotted by Omondi.Masika’s direct free kick on the 77th minute was also well kept out by Omondi as the two teams laboured on.Line upsKCB Starting XI; Bryne Omondi (GK), Nathan Wekesa, Erickson Mulu, Haniff Wesonga, Maurice Owino, Otieno Apollo, Kennedy Ochino (Harrison Mwendwa 70′), Derrick Otieno (Francis Kahiro 70′), Henry Onyango, Bramwel Chemweno (Danson Namasaka 70′), Musa Masika.Sofapaka Starting XI; Kevin Omondi (GK), Simon Abuko, Nixon Omondi (Levian Ochieng 76′), Elvis Otieno, David Nshirimana, Okola Stephen, Roy Okal, Sunday Ikekhai, Ben Stanley Omondi, Roddy Manga (Alex Imbusia 70′), Jacob Panoam (Brian Wepo 70′)
