Bidco, Sofapaka, Mara and APS Bomet share spoils in barren stalemates as relegation battle intensifies

Bidco United's clash against Sofapaka and Mara Sugar versus APS Bomet all yielded barren draws in early FKF Premier League encounters staged at Wang'uru Stadium in Kirinyaga and Awendo Green Stadium, respectively, as all teams settled for a point apiece in results that do little to ease their relegation concerns.

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Coming into the clash, the stakes could not have been higher.

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Bidco, sitting just above the relegation zone and buoyed by a three-match unbeaten run, were in urgent need of maximum points to create breathing space.

Sofapaka, meanwhile, remained rooted at the foot of the table on 14 points and approached the tie as a must-win fixture in their bid to reignite a faltering survival campaign.

The match began cautiously, with both sides struggling to impose themselves in the early exchanges.

Sofapaka registered the first meaningful attempt six minutes in, with Japheth Mzungu involved in a move that saw Adrian Oloo combine well with Malick Ntamba before the latter’s effort was comfortably gathered by goalkeeper Issa Emuria.

Bidco responded swiftly, and in the 10th minute through Samuel Onyango. The former Gor Mahia attacker made a surging run down the right flank, cutting inside before unleashing a shot that was bravely blocked by Eugene Barasa.

Chances continued to flow at both ends. Sofapaka came close through Yassin Rajab, who expertly controlled Duncan Otieno’s pinpoint delivery before curling a volley narrowly wide.

Mophat Kovelo also threatened shortly after the hour mark, making a powerful run into the area only to be denied by Emuria, who reacted swiftly to parry the danger.

Despite Sofapaka enjoying spells of dominance, Bidco nearly broke the deadlock in the 19th minute.

A well-delivered corner from Thomas Wainaina found Onyango unmarked, but the forward could only direct his header over the bar.

Sofapaka continued to probe, with Rajab once again at the heart of the action, embarking on a solo run after being picked out by Oloo, but his final effort drifted inches wide.

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At the other end, Bidco’s Dennis Murunga tested Morgan Siatwa, who stood firm to deny the forward after a defensive lapse.

Lawrence Luvanda also came close for the hosts, rising to meet Collins Akite’s delivery, but his effort lacked composure and sailed over the bar.

Sofapaka introduced Tyron Kariuki and Joseph Kuloba in a tactical shift that almost paid immediate dividends.

Kuloba found himself in a promising position after a neat exchange with Rajab, but his effort posed little trouble for Emuria.

The closing stages of the first half saw both sides exchange late opportunities.

Onyango nearly broke the deadlock after being played through by David Odoyo, but Siatwa reacted well to deny him, while Collins Akite and Kariuki both failed to capitalise on chances at either end as the teams went into the break deadlocked.

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The second half resumed with renewed intensity.

Sofapaka came close seven minutes after the restart, with Rajab connecting to a well-weighted cross from Kariuki, but Emuria produced a sharp save to keep the scores level.

Bidco responded through Luvanda, who drove forward from midfield, only to be thwarted by a timely defensive intervention from Kovelo.

Sofapaka captain Duncan Otieno then tested Emuria with a well-struck free-kick that narrowly missed the top corner.

As the match wore on, chances became more sporadic but no less significant.

Odoyo attempted an ambitious long-range strike that whistled past the post, while Kuloba saw his effort cleared off the line by Michael Bodo after good build-up play involving Kariuki and Kovelo.

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Rajab remained Sofapaka’s most dangerous outlet and came closest to breaking the deadlock late on, but his effort from the edge of the box was well handled by Emuria.

Despite a flurry of late attacks from both sides, neither could find the decisive breakthrough, and the contest ultimately ended in a stalemate.

The result sees Bidco United, under coach Anthony Akhulia, move to 22 points as they continue their fight for survival.

For Sofapaka, it marked the first point under new head coach Edward Manoah in his second game in charge, though they remain anchored at the bottom of the table with their relegation fears deepening.

Mara Sugar 0-0 APS Bomet

Elsewhere, at Awendo Green Stadium, Mara Sugar and APS Bomet also settled for a goalless draw.

The result extended Mara’s unbeaten run to six matches, lifting them to 30 points, while APS Bomet moved to 21 points but remained entrenched in the relegation battle, sitting third from bottom.