By Bonface Osano and Festus Chuma,
AFC Leopards opened their 2017 Kenyan Premier League campaign in week two with a convincing 3-0 thrashing of newbies Nakumatt FC at Thika Stadium on Sunday.
Floundering defending champions Tusker were on the receiving end again crushing 2-0 to Thika United at the same venue.
Sony Sugar bounced back with a narrow 1-0 win over Sofapaka SC in Nakuru.
Meanwhile, record champions Gor Mahia will enjoy fresh air at the top of the log after edging Zoo FC 1-0 to record their second win on the trot on Saturday in Kisumu.
Sofapaka SC 0-1 Sony Sugar
Sony recovered from a 2-0 loss to Chemelil last week, in the Sugar Belt derby, to edge 2009 champions Sofapaka at the Afraha Stadium, Nakuru.
New signing George Abege, who joined from coast based side Bandari FC at the beginning of the season, scored the only goal in the 64th minute after a barren first half.
Sofapaka, were playing their first match of the new season, after re-admission into the topflight following Tuesday’s Sports Disputes Tribunal ruling.
“The Batoto Ba Mungu” had been relegated by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for failing the strict Club Licensing rules’ test, however, they fought their way back through the corridors of justice.
The win fires “the Cane Cutters” to 10th in the table standings with three points, while Sofapaka are 14th.
Thika United 2-0 Tusker FC
Thika United humbled Tusker 2-0 at Thika Stadium to bounce back from a 3-2 loss to Mathare United last weekend at the same venue.
Tusker, who are the defending champions are winless in two outings after falling to Nzoia United 5-2 in week one.
Eugene Mukangula put “the milkmen” a head early in the 3rd minute, a lead that lasted into the breather.
In the second half, the coach James Nandwa’s charges sustained the pressure and managed to extend the lead though Shami Kibwana in the 85th minute to secure the three points.
Tusker remain rooted at the bottom of the log with zero points, while Thika climb to 8th.
Gor Mahia 1-0 Zoo Kericho FC
15-times champions Gor Mahia stormed to the summit of the table standings with a 1-0 narrow win over league debutants Zoo FC on Saturday in Kisumu.
Boyed by the home support, the reigning KPL most valuable player Kenneth Muguna delivered a masterpiece scoring the lone with panache.
The lanky creative midfielder dodged a forest of legs before unleashing a scorcher to break the deadlock in the 42nd minute.
Despite further raids and near misses, the Kericho held strong for the respectable scoreline.
Like Sharks, Zoo are yet to pick a point in two outings, they are placed 16th in the table standings.
Muhoroni Youth 1-0 Kariobangi Sharks
KPL action returned to Muhoroni Town with Muhoroni Youth taking on Kariobangi Sharks at Muhoroni Stadium.
The hosts announced their return to the topflight after near relegation by the FKF on Club Licensing grounds with a 1-0 win over the visitors from Nairobi.
Ayoyi converted a 33rd minute penalty for the only goal of the game. The win propels them to 9th on the log, while Sharks, who lost 3-1 to Gor last week are 16th, two places above the relegation zone.
Posta Rangers 0-0 Bandari
Posta Rangers and Bandari slowed down after week one wins to settle for a barren draw on Sunday.
Posta completes the top five with four points followed by Bandari on equal points but inferior goal difference.
AFC Leopards 3-0 Nakumatt FC
AFC Leopards started the new season strongly beating newcomers Nakumatt 3-0 in a match played on Sunday at Thika Municipal Stadium.
Ghanaian forward Gilbert Fiamenyo,Paul Kiogera and Marcellus Ingosti scored the goals for Ingwe that saw coach Stewart Hall mark a positive start in his second coaching stint in Kenya.
Leopards first goal came from Fiamenyo well drilled header past Nakumatt keeper Sammy Okinda to put Igwe ahead before the half time break.
On the return of the second half,Nakumatt displayed nice football with a clear intention of getting an equalizer but they lost concentration in the last fifteen minutes of the match.
Second half subsitute Ingosti netted five minutes after his introduction,sloting in a thunder to make it 2-0.
In the last minute of play Kiongera slotted in the ball after dodging past retailers defenders to seal the victory.
Nzoia United 0-0 Mathare United
Nzoia United and Mathare United settled to a barren draw on Saturday at Sudi Stadium.
Both sides created several decent chances but none could make that decisive break.
Masita Masita ’s header for Nzoia Sugar went straight into the hands of Mathare goalie was perhaps the best of them.
The slums boys however finished the game with ten men after Daniel Mwaura was dismisses for a second bookable offence.
George Owino produced a man of the match display for neutralising the millers attack.His heroics made the clear favourites,Nzoia, fail to execute their game plan.
Kakamega Homeboyz 1-1 Chemelil Sugar
Kakamega Homeboyz held Chemelil Sugar to a one-all draw in a match played on Saturday at the Chemelil Sports Complex.
Homeboyz drew the first blood in the first half through David Okoth as the first half ended with the Richard Tamale coached side leading.
When proceedings resumed, Chemelil went all out and restored parity with fifteen to go when David Ojuang received a ball from the midfield to send a screemer past Michael Wanyika to level the matter.
Homeboyz from that minute dominated the proceedings. Wycliff Ochomo strong header went wide in the dying minutes.
Laban Gambareko also had a late chance for the millers but his effort was easily collected by Jauris in a one on one situation that left Homeboyz to rue on missed chances as the game ended 1-1.
