For the first time ever, Sofapaka will host Nairobi City Stars at Wundanyi Stadium on Saturday 23 January 2021 starting 3pm in what will be the 17th Premiership matchup between the two since year 2009, but the first since the 2016 season.
The previous games
As City Stars seek Sofapaka from their newest hideout, there are 16 previous games to look at.
On 26th April 2009, the latest entrant to the Premier League Sofapaka forced City Stars to a 1-1 draw at City Stadium in their first ever meet in the premier league.
A late Ezekiel Akwana penalty two minutes to time cancelled out an earlier one by Arthur Museve at the half hour mark for a share of the spoils.
Then, City Stars was coached by German Oliver Page as Robert Matano was the man behind the Batoto ba Mungu.
Though the first one started on a shared note, the 16th and last game is one City Stars will never forget as they were bamboozled 5-0 at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos on 7th August 2016 in what stands out as their worst Premier league defeat in 328 games played in the top flight since their first season in 2004.
Samuel Okwi and Jaffer Gichuki scored in the first half before Noah Abich, now an assistant coach with City Stars, scored a penalty at the hour mark. Moses Odhiambo and Isaac Mutanga added more after Abich’s dead ball to complete the historic rout.
Overall, of the 16 games played, City Stars has won four duels, drawn as many and lost eight games to Sofapaka.
In games hosted by Sofapaka, City Stars has picked two wins, drawn once and lost the other five.
Last winning coach
For the upcoming game, Bosnian Sanjin Alagic will lead Simba wa Nairobi in Wundanyi where he’ll become the eleventh tactician to handle the team against Sofapaka.
While Oliver Page was the first in charge in 2009, Ken Odhiambo handled the next five from 2009 to 2011 where he delivered three wins and a draw.
Gideon Ochieng oversaw the two games in 2012 as Gambian Bai Malleh Wadda and Charles Korea Omondi took charge of the games in 2013.
Nigerian coach Robinson Ndubuisi led City Stars in the two games in 2014. He registered the fourth and last win (2-1) over Sofapaka on 29 March during the first leg.
Ugandan Paul Nkata, Gabriel Kingi Njoroge, John Bobby Ogola and Ugandan Richard Tamale Pinto each handled a leg of games played in 2015 and 2016, in that order.
Venues
Wundayi Stadium was only introduced to the Premier League this season and while it readies to host the 17th encounter between the two, the previous games were hosted at City Stadium (5), Nyayo Stadium (7), Kenyatta Stadium – Machakos (3) and Hope Centre (1)
Current form
Seventh placed City Stars heads to the game on the back of a 1-1 draw against Ulinzi Stars while Sofapaka are returning home reeling from a 2-1 defeat to hosts Nzoia Sugar in a game that saw them end up with a red card to their captain Lawrence Juma.
Sofapaka sits 13th on the 18-team log with seven points.
Top scorers
The top scorers on either side will not be be a part of the Saturday party at Wundanyi.
With four goals, Jimmy Bageya is City Stars top scorer against Sofapaka. He has since left the club.
With five goals, legend John Baraza is top of the leaderboard for Sofapaka against the Kawangware boys. He has since retired from the game.
With two goals, Anthony Muki Kimani is Sofapaka’s second best scorer against City Stars. Incidentally he is the current City Stars skipper but will miss the upcoming game due to a shoulder injury.
Summary
KPL Games: 16 (Sofapaka-8 Wins, City Stars-4 wins, Draws-4)
List of Sofapaka’s home games vs City Stars
* First score for Sofapaka, second for City Stars
27-Sep-09, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 1-2 (W)
8-Jun-10, Sofapaka vs City Stars, City Stadium, 3-0 (L)
8-Aug-11, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 0-0 (D)
7-Apr-12, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium, 2-0 (L)
30-Aug-13, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Nyayo Stadium 3-0 (L)
29-Mar-14, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Kenyatta Stadium 1-2 (W)
3-Aug-15, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Kenyatta Stadium 2-0 (L)
7-Aug-16, Sofapaka vs City Stars, Kenyatta Stadium 5-0 (L)
Sofapaka top scorers vs City Stars
John Baraza – 5 goals
Anthony Kimani -2
City Stars top scorers vs Sofapaka
Jimmy Bageya – 4 goals
