• FOOTBALL

• Frank Rotich 4 days ago

Sofapaka’s fight for survival continues with Mathare United clash

Sofapaka’s battle to stay in the Kenyan Premier League takes centre stage this weekend as they prepare for a must-win clash against Mathare United at the Kasarani Annex.

With the season entering its final stretch, Sofapaka find themselves in deep trouble, sitting at the bottom of the table with just 17 points from 29 matches. They are only one point away from safety, but their recent form has raised serious concerns.

The 2009 champions have failed to win any of their last five matches, managing three draws and two defeats. Even more worrying is their struggle in front of goal, having failed to score in all five games.

Their latest setback was a narrow 1-0 loss away to APS Bomet, a result that further exposed their attacking problems.

At home, Sofapaka have also struggled to impose themselves, dropping crucial points in low-scoring matches. As pressure mounts, the team will be hoping for a turnaround in front of their fans.

However, injury concerns could make things harder. Captain Clifton Miheso is a doubt after being forced off in the previous match, while Tyson Kariuki also missed the last game. This puts added responsibility on key players like Daniel Nganga, Japheth Mzungu, Idrissu Shaibu and Duncan Otieno to step up.

There is also hope in attack, with striker Japheth Kuloba pushing for a starting role after coming off the bench in the last match.

On the other hand, Mathare United come into the game in a slightly better position, sitting 12th with 34 points. Their recent form has been mixed but more positive, with two wins, two draws and one defeat in their last five matches.

Despite Sofapaka’s poor run, history shows this fixture is always competitive. Mathare won the first meeting 1-0, but past encounters have often been closely contested.

For Sofapaka, this match is more than just three points it is a chance to keep their survival hopes alive. Anything less than a win could push them closer to relegation.