Round 18 of the 2019-20 Kenyan Premier League season presented 26 goals with the highlight- of course, being John Mark Makwatta stretching away from the leading pack in the top scorers’ log with yet another brace. The chasing pack experienced minimal changes with a host of the goals coming from strikers who have been silent in recent weeks.

Recent acquisitions are also up and running with Tusker FC and Sofapaka FC the beneficiaries.

We look at the active names on round 18’s scoreboards and do so by starting with Sofapaka’s hosting of Nzoia Sugar. David Simiyu– recently signed from Chemelil Sugar, set the ball rolling on Sunday against Nzoia after which Elli Asieche doubled this lead from the spot. Nzoia attempted to rally back, Boris Kwezi halving the deficit but Sofa had learned from their first leg loss at the hands of the sugar millers and struck back through Titus Achesa and George Maelo for a 4-1 win.

Bandari were 1-0 up against Tusker courtesy of Wycliffe Ochomo’s penalty kick and looked smooth sailing for a win long-coming. Hashim Sempala, sending out a ferocious drive from over 30 yards, brought the visitors level. It looked like a draw even with six minutes of added time left, and when the clock hit 96 minutes, Brian Marita– newly roped in from AFC Leopards, gave Coach Robert Matano’s men an away victory.

In Nakuru, Ulinzi Stars hosted Western Stima and the two shared four goals at half time. Oromcan Villa struck the opener for the visitors but Ulinzi restored parity through Boniface Okinyi. Youngster Benson Omalla Ochieng then reclaimed Stima’s lead which they would have kept had Michael Otieno not risen off the bench to cancel. 2-2 at half time, and now the match awaited a hero.

John Kago was the hero, and Ulinzi won.

 Mathare United met Kariobangi Sharks on contrasting fortunes. While they walked out the tunnel at the Moi International Sports Center Kasarani reeling from a midweek loss to Stima, their opponents on the day, Sharks, had just recorded their second victory of the season.

Kevin Kimani and Daniel Okoth gave United a 2-0 lead by the 80th minute, and Daniel Sakari’s 86th-minute cross-cum-shot which somehow found itself at the back of the net was merely a consolation.

John Mark Makwatta was level with Timothy Otieno of Tusker at 10 goals after round 17 and so striking twice against Wazito on Sunday, he wheels away to 12 goals. Leopards won 2-0.

Posta Rangers is a side enjoying their best results in recent seasons and completed the double over Kisumu All Stars away from home. Eliud Lokuwam set the ball rolling with a header off the crossbar and over the goal-line and captain Joseph Mbugi found the far-post from a deliciously struck free-kick.

One result did grab many headlines in the way of what it does to the title chase. Champions Gor Mahia were felled 2-1 by Kakamega Homeboyz in Bukhungu. Taking the lead through Shami Kibwana Mwinyi, Homeboyz would be caught napping with a Nicholas Kipkurui header. 1-1 was the first half share of the spoils.

Ahmed Ali Bhai then grabbed all three points for the hosts.

The final clash of the round is Kenya Commercial Bank’s visit to Chemelil where they took a 3-0 win.

Samuel Mwangi was the first on target for the Bankers, then Victor Omondi Ogendo– scoring in his second successive match, took KCB 2-0 up. Reagan Otieno would then compound to the hosts’ woes with a third goal.

Here’s how the Top Scorers’ Chart looks:

John Mark Makwatta (Leopards) Timothy Otieno (Tusker)	12 10
Enock Agwanda (KCB)	8
Peter Thiong’o (Homeboyz)	7
Enosh Ochieng (Ulinzi)	7
Oscar Wamalwa (Ulinzi)	7
Benson Omalla (Stima)	7
Elli Asieche (sofa)	7
Allan Wanga (Homeboyz)	6
Collins Wakhungu (Sofa)	6
Francis Nambute (Rangers)	6
Elvis Rupia (Wazito)	5
Luke Namanda (Tusker)	5
Kenneth Muguna (Gor)	5
George Odhiambo (Tusker) David Simiyu (Sofa)	5 5