Mixed fortunes
Former premier league top scorer Eric Kapaito proved that he still has what it takes to reclaim the golden boot title after he notched a brace to steer Kariobangi Sharks to a crucial 2-1 win over Western Stima and in the process leaped to the top of the scorers chart, four matches into the season.
The diminutive goal getter currently has seven goals from four matches, passing AFC Leopard’s Elvis Rupia by a single goal.
Sharks coming from a morale boosting 2-1 win over title rivals Sofapaka at the weekend, found themselves training the hosts at Moi Stadium in Kisumu in the 55th minute when Bonface Onyango scored an own goal, but their goal machine, Kapaito who has since been awarded the arm band, responded in style with two goals within four minutes, to pick all the maximum points for the visitors.
At Afraha Stadium, hosts Ulinzi Stars secured their first win of the season after beating Kakamega Homeboyz 2-0 in another entertaining match of the midweek fixtures.
The soldiers took the lead in the 10th minute through Masita Masuta and their lethal forward Enos Ochieng in the 29th minute for a priceless win and pile more pressure on Homeboyz who have had a slow start to the season.
At Utalii grounds, 10- man Nzoia Sugar came from behind to hold Bisdco United 1-1 in a pulsating encounter with both teams yet to get a win in the current campaign.
Substitutes Eric Gichimu of Bidco and Phillip Muchuma of Nzoia scored scored for their respective sides just moments after Felicien Okanda of the sugar millers was sent off for a dangerous tackle.
Gichimu who had replaced Emmanuel Mokaya was at the end of a rebound off Noah Wafula’s free kick in the 74th minute to slot past goalkeeper Humphrey Katasi.
Just after restart, the Nzoia forwards got at the end of a long ball and with Bidco goalkeeper Edwin Odhiamnbo trying to clear, he totally fluffed leaving the well placed Muchuma, who initially played for Chemelil Sugar and Sofapaka, to slot home.
In the first half,Nzoia forwards.Masha Gaetan and Eric Otieno easily went behind defenders causing all manner of problems.
The two combined in the fifth minute with the latter hitting a low shot from close range after Gaetan came in late from an offside position for the goal to be adjudged offside.
“We should have won the duel but I think my players have let me down. It was all about concentration but sadly we just could not hold,” said Bidco coach Anthony Akhulia.
On his part Nzoia’s stand in coach Sylvester Mulukurwa praised the discipline of his charges especially after being reduced to 10-men.
“We had to keep our heads up and that is what gave us the point despite being disadvantaged.
My super substitute Muchuma is experienced and I knew he was going to give us something,” he said.
Earlier at the same venue, City Stars also shared spoils with Vihiga United in a high tempered match that ended 1-1.
The Kawangware based side fell behind in the 43rd minute after David Simiyu scored the opener for Vihiga, but they leveled the scores in the 48th minute through Sven Yidah who nodded in a cross from Oliver Maloba.
In another match of the day, Posta Rangers and Bandari played to another 1-1 draw at Kasarani stadium.
