- Mathare United staged a comeback to defeat Tusker FC 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Dandora Stadium.
- Musa Masika netted both goals for Mathare while Dagratious Ojok scored for Tusker.
- John Kamau revealed that a tactical gamble proved decisive, noting how the unexpected system caught Tusker off guard.
Mathare United head coach John Kamau has opened up about the daring tactical shift he employed in their victory over title contenders Tusker, a move he admitted was both risky and mentally exhausting to implement during the past week.
Mathare came from behind to clinch a 2-1 triumph, with former Gor Mahia winger Musa Masika making a significant impact off the bench to secure a crucial win for the Slum Boys.
Dagratious Ojok had put the Brewers ahead in the first half, but Kamau’s bold strategy disrupted Charles Okere’s ambitions of guiding Tusker to the top of the table.
With this being Mathare’s ninth win of the season, the result sees them remain in 10th place in the standings with 36 points, a remarkable turnaround considering they were battling relegation earlier in the year.
Reacting to the result, Kamau credited his players for their commendable effort and resilience, while also describing how challenging it has been to select his starting lineup due to constant squad adjustments.
One thing I must say credit goes entirely to the players. This group has shown incredible determination, and they truly deserve the praise,” Kamau told the club media.
This past week has been one of the most hectic in my career. When you look at the starting eleven, we had to make adjustments four times in the lead-up to the match.
Even today, we made last-minute changes due to Anami’s illness, and the goalkeeper decision was finalized just yesterday. It’s been a week of mixed emotions.”
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Tusker FC caught off guard
Kamau went on to reveal the tactical gamble that proved decisive, noting how the unexpected system caught Tusker off guard and allowed Mathare to seize control of the match.
I’m proud of the team’s mentality and adaptability. At 1-0 down, we needed more attacking numbers—we could not rely on a defensive shape like the 4-4-1. So we went for it.
We took a calculated risk, and it paid off immediately. Tusker weren’t prepared for the change. Once we scored twice, we reverted to a back four. What pleases me most is how well the players have adjusted to our evolving tactical demands.”
Mathare United’s next fixture is against Kakamega Homeboyz on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025.
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