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Football Kenya Federation had collaborated with police to conduct a dawn arrest of alleged manipulators of this fixtures.
One time Kenyan champions Sofapaka fought back from a goal down to salvage a 1-1 draw in their Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) match away to Nairobi City Stars on Saturday afternoon.
The match at Ruaraka Grounds saw goals from Simba wa Nairobi’s Samuel Kapen and Batoto ba Mungu’s Roddy Manga earn a point for each of their teams with extra gaze cast on a fixture so shrouded with suspicions of manipulation.
City Stars threatened in the first eight minutes into the game when Ezekiel Odera whipped a ball across the goalmouth, but the oncoming Denis Oalo could not get there in time to tap it in.
The Simba wa Nairobi were determined to break the deadlock as they were constantly pushing forward and they were presented with a golden opportunity to break the deadlock in the 15th minute.
At the other end, Nairobi City Stars goalkeeper Jacob Osano had to be alert as Sofapaka forward Roddy Manga sent a powerful shot which was saved by the former seven minutes later.
City Stars found it difficult to unlock the Sofapaka defense which was marshaled by Burundi international David Nshimirima and former Nzoia Sugar defender Brian Wepo.
Both teams struggled to create goal scoring opportunities as they were giving away possession cheaply in the final third with the half-time break fast approaching.
The score was 0-0 at the interval following a first-half which was slightly dominated by City Stars.
City Stars began with more energy in the second stanza and they went ahead on the 48th minute when Edwin Buliba slipped Sameul Kapen and he made no error sending a volley into the back of the net.
Roddy Manga, the Sofapaka forward, tried his luck from range in the 54th minute, but his attempt was well saved by Jacob Osano as the visitors looked for an equalizer.
Simon Munala then tried his luck in the 58th minute but was denied by Osano who had a good game between the sticks.
In the 68th minute, City Stars had a glorious chance to double their lead but their casual approach saw Sofapaka avert the danger.
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Almost immediately, Sofapaka found an equalizer when second half substitute Ben Omondi’s cross was headed home by Congolese forward Roddy Manga.
City Stars tried to find a winning goal in the final ten minutes but Sofapaka held firm to take one point home.
How they lined up:
Nairobi City Stars: Jacob Osano,Dennis Wanjala, Kenedy Onyango, Abdallah Salim, Edwin Buliba, Clifford Otieno, Antony Kimani, Samuel Kapen, Andrew Kisilu, Denis Oalo, Ezekiel Odera
Sofapaka: Simon Masaka, David Nshimirimana,Brain Wepo, Nixon Omondi, Royal Okal, Simon Munala, Rodgers Okumu, Stephan Okala, Roddy Manga,Brian Oketch, Sunday Ikekhia
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