Mathare United relegated, Elvis Rupia equals Sonyi’s 47-year goal record as Sofapaka add to Leopards’ woes

© Mathare United

FKFPL Mathare United relegated, Elvis Rupia equals Sonyi’s 47-year goal record as Sofapaka add to Leopards’ woes

Joel Omotto 17:06 - 21.06.2023

The Slum Boys’ 25-year top flight stay came to a crashing end while the Kenya Police striker moved ahead of Gor Mahia’s Benson Omala in the Golden Boot race

Mathare United’s 25-year stay in the Kenyan top flight came to a crushing end on Wednesday while AFC Leopards continued their poor form following a 2-1 defeat to Sofapaka.

Mathare’s nine lives finally caught up with them as they kissed the Football Kenya Federation Premier League goodbye following a 1-1 draw with Ulinzi Stars in their penultimate match of the season.

The Slum Boys needed to win their final two games while hoping closest challengers Wazito FC fail to collect maximum points to clinch the promotion playoff spot but the Muhoroni-based side continued their impressive form, handing Bidco United a 1-0 defeat in Thika which leaves them on 29 points, six ahead of Mathare with one game remaining.

Meanwhile, Levis Opiyo’s mistake handed Sofapaka all the points as AFC Leopards extended their losing run to four straight defeats.

With head coach Patrick Aussems missing from the touchline, Ingwe labored against Batoto ba Mungu who profited from poor decision-making from Leopards goalkeeper Opiyo early on.

Opiyo’s poor clearance fell on a Sofapaka player who headed the ball in the Leopard's box and Simon Abuko was there to slot in effortlessly to give his side a 13th-minute lead.

From there, Leopards went on the offensive in search of an equalizer and came close twice, first Robert Mudenyu saw his header from a freekick go inches wide before Jaffari Owiti missed from close range on the stroke of halftime after a good run on the left.

The scores remained 1-0 at halftime with Sofapaka staying calm and composed in possession while restricting their opponents to half chances. Jacob Onyango then scored a wonderful goal with four minutes remaining to all but bury Ingwe’s comeback hopes. Ingwe scored a late consolation in time added on.

Elsewhere, Elvin Rupia moved equaled the 47-year record of 26 goals a season as he scored a brace in Kenya Police’s 4-1 thrashing of already relegated Vihiga Bullets.

Rupia went into the match one goal shy of Gor Mahia’s Benson Omala but with the 21-year-old starting from the bench against Kakamega Homeboyz, it is the Police man who moved level with K’Ogalo legend Maurice Sonyi Ochieng, reaching a mark that had stood since 1976.

Meanwhile, Bandari’s good run under caretaker coach Twahir Muhiddin continued as they beat Kariobangi Sharks 1-0 while KCB extinguished Nzoia Sugar’s slim title hopes after handing them a 2-0 defeat.

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