2009 champions Sofapaka relegated from the SportPesa League after draw with Mathare United

• Sofapaka have been relegated from the SportPesa League with four games to spare after playing out a 2-2 draw against Mathare United.
• The match was held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Kasarani Annex.
• Sofapaka can only reach a maximum of 30 points, having accumulated 18 so far, while 15th-placed Ulinzi Stars already have 31 points.
• With 16th place also facing relegation and no playoffs this season, Batoto Ba Mungu’s drop after 17 years in the top flight is now confirmed.

17 years since they got promoted and became the first SportPesa League side to snatch the title in their debut season, Sofapaka will be playing in the National Super League next season.

This comes after the 2009 champions were relegated on Saturday, May 2, 2026, when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Mathare United at the Kasarani Annex, with four matches still left to play.

Coming into this clash, the Batoto Ba Mungu were hoping to grab the win and cling to that sliver of hope, while praying the other four results went their way.

ALSO READ: Ulinzi Stars beat Sofapaka to climb out of SportPesa League relegation zone

But as things stand, with just 18 points on the board so far, they can only reach a maximum of 30.

That won’t be enough to save them, especially since 15th-placed Ulinzi Stars already have 31 points.

And this time around, there will be no playoff spot with a National Super League side – something they narrowly survived with in the 2023/24 season before finishing seventh last year under coach Ezekiel Akwana.

As for Mathare, the single point which could have easily been three, only for them to let it slip late – would have boosted their chances of escaping the relegation zone.

Instead, they have moved to 35 points in 12^th  place, sitting six points clear of 16th-placed Kariobangi Sharks, who have 29.

2009 champions Sofapaka relegated from the SportPesa League

Sofapaka were the first to break the deadlock, giving themselves a golden opportunity to set the tone of the contest after former Mathare United player Meshack Ochieno handed them an early lead in the opening minute of the clash.

However, just before halftime, Mathare managed to turn the game into a cagey affair following some slick build-up play, with Isaac Omweri restoring parity in the 25th minute before the break.

In the second half, Mathare made their intentions clear and carved out a chance of their own at the 50-minute mark through Mark Makwata, who put them ahead after a sublime delivery from John Nyawir.

They managed to keep control of the proceedings until the 90th minute, but during added time, the desperate Sofapaka kept hunting for an equalizer and possibly even a winner.

Edward Manoa’s charges eventually grabbed the leveler through Malick Ntamba, but it was not enough to hand them the maximum points needed to escape the relegation scrap, as John Kamau’s men picked up a vital point.

For Sofapaka, their 17-year journey in the SportPesa League is about to come to an end, and they will be hoping to bow out on a high note as they head to the NSL, with four games still to play against Posta Rangers, KCB, Shabana, before wrapping up their campaign against Kariobangi Sharks.

Sofapaka vs Mathare United lineups

• Sofapaka: Sitawa, Ochino, Kvelo, Ng’ang’a, Shaibu, Bonney, Musumba, Odim, Lihanda, Barasa, Miheso
• Mathare United: Mboya, Kiprotich, Omondi, Atano, Nyawir, Kilume, Nyambane, Ouru, Omweri, Masika, Mark Makwata