- Sofapaka beat AFC Leopards on penalties to win the Jamhuri Cup
- Coach David Ouma says his team can charge for the title
- AFC’s Aussems disappointed with result
Sofapaka FC head coach David Ouma hopes the motivation from winning last Monday’s Mashujaa Cup will be the motivation they need to charge for their second FKF Premier League title and the first since their maiden victory in 2009.
Batoto ba Mungu beat AFC leopards 4-3 on penalties to clinch the Cup and a Sh500,000 cash reward. The game was forced into penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. The results at the end of fulltime counted for league points, with the penalties deciding the winner of the cup.
“I am very delighted to have seen my team win the Cup. For me, this is a huge morale booster to the players because they have the feeling of lifting a Cup. This season, we want to battle for the league title and I believe we can do it,” stated the tactician.
AFC’s Patrick Aussems said his team did not deserve to win after the performance they gave especially in the second half.
“In the first half we tried to play football and we created chances but in the second half, we did not play anything. Apart from the chance we had in the last minute after they scored, I don’t remember another opportunity we had to score. We need to improve on this,” stated the coach.
On penalties, Sofapaka’s goalkeeper Mathias Kigonya was the hero as he saved one penalty and scored the winner.
Ojo Olaniyi penalty saved
AFC Leopards striker Ojo Olaniyi in action against Sofapaka
The Ugandan goalkeeper who is on his second stint at the club saved Ojo Olaniyi’s spot kick while Brian Wanyama hit the crossbar. Sofapaka scored four of their five kicks with only Alex Imbusia seeing his kick saved.
David Kasirye, Lucky Mweu, Stephen Okola and Kigonya scored. Leopards scored three of their kicks through Washington Munene, Giovanni Lukhumwa and Maxwell Otieno.
The game was forced to penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time, with the 90-minute result counting for league points.
In regulation time, Leopards got into the lead in the 13th minute from the penalty spot after Jaffary Owiti was brought down by Stephen Okola inside the box. Washington Munene stepped up to score.
Sofapaka pile pressure to bounce back
Action between Sofapaka and AFC Leopards
Sofapaka tried to get back into the game despite Leopards dominating in possession. They had chances with Joe Waithira blocked by the keeper after being sent through on goal while David Kasirye had a rasping shot sail wide.
In the second half though, Sofapaka piled the pressure, forcing AFC to play on the back foot. They changed personnel with striker Manga brought in, as he doubled up with Kasirye to pile pressure on the Leopards defense.
The pressure paid off with four minutes of regulation time left when Manga scored from a yard out on the ground, sweeping the ball home after Kasirye’s header from a corner was blocked on the line. AFC players protested for a handball but the ref stood by the decision.
AFC had two late chances to grab a late winner, but Brian Wanyama’s effort was blocked off the line while another was saved at the near post by Kigonya.
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