Vihiga Bullets on the brink of relegation after defeat to Sofapaka

©Sofapaka

FKFPL Vihiga Bullets on the brink of relegation after defeat to Sofapaka

Festus Chuma 17:20 - 02.05.2023

Bullets chances of staying in the top-flight are hanging by a thread.

Vihiga Bullets are on the brink of automatic relegation to the National Super League (NSL) after a 3-2 loss to Sofapaka at Bukhungu Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

The result, which was decided by a goal from Sofapaka forward Stanely Omondi sees Bullets' two-year stint at the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) nearly approaching its end with six matches remaining to the end of the season.

With FC Talanta who occupy the final safety spot on 27 points, and the maximum number of points Bullets can accumulate this season being 26, the Vihiga-based club are left hoping for an exit route through the Promotion/Relegation playoffs.

The first chance of the match fell at the feet of Addis Panoam in the eighth minute but Edigar Epiyayu was quick off his line to deny the Sofapaka defender after he had burst through on goal.

Vihiga squandered a glorious opportunity of their own on the half-hour mark. David Chesoli dispossessed Ronack Otieno in a dangerous area but with only the goalkeeper to beat, Nichols Masaba, who had run onto the loose ball, struck his attempt wide.

Sofapaka were forced to make an early substitution in the 35th minute with Roddy Manga replacing injured Evans Makari.

The hosts continued showing some hunger and they were rewarded when they deservedly broke the deadlock five minutes to the end of the first stanza.

They were awarded a free-kick in a promising area and Joseph Oyugi fired home a rebound after Kevin Omondi failed to handle the ball to make it 1-0 for Bullets.

However the lead did not last long as at the stroke of the halftime mark Sébastien Sunday sneaked in between the defenders to head in Ben Stanley's delivery to equalize.

Sofapaka made an early change in the second stanza when Brian Wepo replaced Alex Imbusia in midfield.

However, Vihiga regained their lead in the 47th minute when a ball fell into Timonah Wanyonyi’s path, and having brought the ball under his control, he toe-poked it home past Omondi to make it 2-1.

Sofapaka coach David Ouma responded by making a change, bringing in Nixon Omondi for Levin Odhiambo.

The Batoto ba Mungu started a relentless attack on the Vihiga goal and they were rewarded at the hour mark when Stanley Omondi controlled Ronny Manga's pass before firing the ball into the bottom corner of the net to make it 2-2.

Sofapaka managed to snatch the  winning goal in the 73rd minute courtesy of Stanely Omondi who made a great solo run from Bullets' defense before sending the ball past Epiyayu to make it 3-2

The hosts attacked in numbers in the closing stages of the match as Kidiga introduced two attackers Jessi Kajuba and Clinton Suga.

Ultimately, the match ended in a 3-2 victory in favor of Sofapaka, who were able to contain Bullets in the dying minutes of the encounter. 

How they lined up: 

Vihiga Bullets: Edigar Epiyayu, Peter Halwange, Rajab Kogota, Hilary Ndombi, Buxton Wachie, Apaa Omanya, Nicholas Masaba, Timonah Wanyonyi, Frederick Ochieng, Joseph Oyugi, David Chesoli

Sofapaka: Kevin Omondi, Levin Ochieng,Stanely Omondi, David Nshimirimana, Ranack Otieno, Sunday Ikhekia, Roy Okal, Evans Makari, Alex Imbusia, Simon Munala, Simon Munala, Jacob Panoam