Mathare United ended their five-match winless run with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Shabana FC on Saturday, December 21, at the Dandora Stadium.
Brian Ouru’s debut goal in the first half was enough to hand John Kamau’s side all three points.
The win moves Mathare United from 13th to 10th place, with 19 points, while Shabana, who had been on a four-match unbeaten run, dropped to 7th place from 6th, with 20 points.
The visitors could fall further to 8th if AFC Leopards secure a win against Bandari on Sunday.
The match was temporarily halted for five minutes due to a commotion outside the stadium, which led to police officers deploying teargas to disperse the unruly crowd. Despite the disruption, both teams resumed the match with equal strength.
In the 18th minute, Shabana launched a dangerous attack, but Mathare’s Cetric Asango made a crucial clearance to prevent the visitors from taking the lead.
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Mathare had their own opportunity in the 24th minute when Meshack Ochieno delivered a cross into the box for Sammy Imbuye, whose header was off-target.
After several minutes of frustrating play, Mathare finally broke the deadlock in the 31st minute. Brian Ouru, capitalized on a deflected shot from Elli Asieche and expertly headed the ball past Shabana goalkeeper Stephen Ochieng.
Peter Okidi, was forced into an early substitution, with Samuel Maiko replaced by Austin Odongo in the 40th minute. Despite the change, Shabana was unable to capitalize on their chances, and Mathare went into the break leading 1-0.
The second half was no different to the first, with both teams creating chances.
In the 71st minute, Shabana’s Brian Michira had a dangerous attempt, but Mathare goalkeeper Robert Mboya was solid, maintaining his clean sheet.
In the dying moments of the game, Ouru had a chance to double Mathare’s lead, but his shot lacked power and failed to find the back of the net. The match ended 1-0, with Mathare United securing all three points.
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Elsewhere, after five matches without a win, league leaders KCB returned to winning ways with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Mara Sugar at the Sportpesa Arena in Murang’a.
Michael Isabwa put the visitors ahead in the 11th minute from a well-placed pass by Ruben Mita, but Bankers responded quickly, with James Kinyanjui scoring the equalizer just two minutes later.
Kinyanjui then assisted Francis Kahiro for a well-executed header from a corner kick in the 22nd minute, giving the hosts a 2-1 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Kinyanjui added a brace, scoring in the 46th minute to extend the lead. However, Mara Sugar fought back, with Mathias Isigol pulling one back with a free-kick in the 56th minute.
Despite the efforts from George Midenyo’s side, Bankers continued to press forward, and in the 80th minute, Patrick Otieno added a fourth goal after being set up by Danson Chetambe.
The Millers scored in added time, but the match ended 4-3, with Bankers claiming all three points and maintaining their position at the top of the table, level on points with Tusker FC (27 points) but ahead on goal difference.
Mara Sugar, who suffered their sixth loss of the season, remain in 9th place with 19 points.
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At the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, despite extending their unbeaten run to six matches, Police FC were held to a 1-1 draw by Kakamega Homeboyz.
This result handed Etienne Ndayiragije his first draw as Police FC manager. The draw leaves Police FC in 3rd place with 25 points, while Francis Baraza’s Kakamega Homeboyz sit 14th with 16 points.
The match was a highly contested affair. Police FC took the lead in the 85th minute through Eric Zakayo, but in added time, Moses Shumah struck for Kakamega Homeboyz to earn his side a hard-fought point.
