Bidco fries Sofapaka to reach Elite Cup pre-season semis
Bidco United produced a master class in a 2-0 win over Sofapaka at Kasarani Annex yesterday to power into the semifinals of the Elite pre-season tournament.
The result means that Bidco have accumulated six points and will be joined in the last four by the winner between Nairobi City Stars and Ulinzi Stars whose match yesterday was still in progress by the time of going to the press.
The semi-finals are slated for Nyayo National Stadium ahead of the final at the same venue on Saturday.
Bidco started the campaign by beating nondescripts Rainbow FC 2-0 before a 1-0 loss at the hands of Kariobangi Sharks.
On the other hand, Sofapaka were held to a goalless draw by Kariobangi Sharks in their opener before calling the tune to thrash Rainbow 4-0.
Yesterday, an early Bidco goal by Sammy Ndung’u threw Sofapaka off balance and not even the introduction of match-maker Joe Waithera for Geoffrey Ojunga in the second stanza could help their course.
Desperate to return to winning ways after being vanquished by Kariobangi Sharks, Bidco threw everything into the attack early in the match with Ndung’u cashing in on a defensive mix-up by Batoto Ba Mungu’s defence to beat goalkeeper Simon Masaka with a rasping drive.
In the 70th minute, Bidco’s dangerous striker Ezekiel Okare notched the second goal with a powerful left footer on the edge of the box that hit the roof of the net past the unsuspecting Masaka.
The early proceedings were balanced although it was Bidco who had a sniff at Sofapaka’s net first, Micheal Bodo exchanging passes with Lameck Oloo in the 7th with the latter pulling the trigger only for the ball to go inches wide.
On the other end, Sofapaka’s Ambrose Sifuna was unlucky to have his screamer cleared off by Bidco defender a few moments after his teammate Sunday Ikhekai’s shot missed the target.
All this time, Sofapaka’s new striker in Ugandan journeyman David Kasirye rarely tested Bidco goalkeeper Edwin Mukolwe.
Kasire, who has had stints with Congolese club TP Mazembe, KCCA and URA both from Uganda and Rayon Sport of Rwanda, did make inroads in Bidco’s backline in the dying minutes but lacked the cutting edge.
Bidco coach Anthony Akhulia was a relieved man after his side eventually managed to return to winning ways.
“I am very pleased with the result and I can only attribute this to hard work by the players. ``It’s been a while since we last played competitive football and we are happy with the outcome,” said Akhulia.
