End of an era: Sofapaka suffer first-ever relegation to NSL after Mathare stalemate

After a 17-year stay in the FKF Premier League, 2009 champions Sofapaka suffered their first-ever relegation to the National Super League (NSL) following a 2-2 draw against Mathare United.

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The loss brings to an end Batoto ba Mungu’s 17 seasons in the top flight, having joined the top tier in 2009, where they announced their arrival in style by winning the title in their maiden campaign.

Sofapaka have been on a downward trajectory in recent seasons, occasioned by the financial challenges faced by the club.

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The Elly Kalekwa-owned side had been flirting with relegation in the past few seasons, and, having escaped narrowly, the wide jaws of relegation have finally swallowed them.

Sofapaka went into the match rooted at the bottom of the log with 17 points, 14 shy of Ulinzi Stars, who are just above the relegation zone and had to win in order to prolong what was an imminent drop to the NSL.

Knowing what was at stake, Sofapaka started the match on a high note and took the lead inside the first minute when Meshack Ochieno got to the end of a neat exchange of passes to lay the ball past Robert Mboya and into the back of the net.

Mathare reacted immediately through a series of attacks, Hillary Kiprotich bringing in a cross in the second minute, but it was well saved by Sofapaka custodian Morgan Sitawa.

The Slum Boys were back at it in the fifth minute when Brian Ouru, on the half space, brought in a cross that found John Makwatta, but the latter’s header was collected by Morgan.

Sofapaka had a chance to add a second in the 15th minute, but captain Clifton Miheso’s cross to Ochieno saw the latter produce a weak connection that failed to trouble Mboya.

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On the other end of the pitch, Hillary Kiprotich on the overlap found Ouru with his cross, but he had a weak touch inside the six-yard box to allow Sitawa to make a comfortable collection of the ball.

Frustrated by proceedings, Musa Masika took a shot from outside the box, but his strike was off target and over the bar.

Mathare came close again in the 21st minute when, from a Masika corner, Makwatta found himself with space inside the box, but his shot went over the bar.

Mathare’s efforts would then pay off in the 25th minute when from a neat and quick exchange of passes, Mohammed Kilume set up Isaac Omweri who made good use of the chance as he directed his effort into the back of the net to level the scores.

Buoyed by the equaliser, Mathare piled on the pressure in search of another goal, but their efforts could only amount to a better ball possession by the 35th minute.

A minute later, Nyawir, on a half volley, produced a thunderous strike that was blocked by Morgan for a corner that was headed wide by Bilal Atano.

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The last chance of the half fell to Makwatta, who, from a loose ball outside the box, took a shot, but it was nowhere near the target.

Second Half

In a bid to strengthen their attack, Sofapaka introduced Joseph Kuloba and Humphrey Kariuki for Miheso and the ineffective Japheth Lihanda at the break.

The second half began with reduced tempo as the battle was concentrated in the middle of the park, where possession was exchanged largely as a result of missed passes.

However, the half came alive in the 49th minute when, from their first chance of the half, Nyawir on the overlap delivered a pinpoint cross that was expertly met by Makwatta, who directed his header past Sitawa to give Mathare the lead for the first time in the match.

The next chance of the half once again fell to Makwatta in the 53rd minute when he was fed by Omweri, but his effort was well saved by Sitawa.

Mathare, who were now playing with confidence, had another shot at goal at the hour mark, but Kilume, from a cut back by Nyawir, shot without precision and into the sky.

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Makwatta would then waste yet another chance two minutes later when he got to the end of a low cross by Masika, but his weak effort was saved by Sitawa’s feet.

Mathare United head coach John Kamau would then make changes in the 69th minute, withdrawing Makwatta and Omweri in favour of Harisson Amalemba and Paul Kinyanjui.

Amalemba would then find himself straight in action when he was fed on the attack, and with a defender to beat, he dribbled past Movat Kovello but chose to try and go past the goalkeeper instead of pulling the trigger with Sitawa making a save as the chance went begging.

Mathare dropped to a low block in order to secure a win, but suffered a last-minute heartache when, from a corner, Malick Ntamba got to the end of the ball and scored to level the scores.