- Posta Rangers defeat Mathare United 1-2 in a comeback victory in the SportPesa League opener.
- The match was staged at the Kasarani Annex on Monday, September 22.
- Ellie Asieche scored for Mathare, while Faustin Ojiambo and Trevor Omondi secured the winning goals for the Mailmen.
Trevor Omondi made an immediate impact from the bench on his Kenyan top-flight debut, helping Posta Rangers mount a comeback to defeat Mathare United 1-2 in the 2025/26 Sportpesa League opener at the Kasarani Annex on Monday afternoon.
The former Shauri Moyo United midfielder was introduced with his new club dominating possession but locked in a 1-1 stalemate.
The deadlock came after Ellie Asieche opened the scoring for the hosts from the penalty spot, with Faustin Ojiambo later equalizing for a Rangers side that narrowly avoided relegation last season, allowing them to secure three crucial points in their first match.
John Kamau’s side, much like last season when they returned to the top tier, began their campaign with a loss.
While their opener last year ended in a heavy 4-0 defeat to AFC Leopards, this time they showed improvement, falling narrowly by just a single goal to a more composed and disciplined Rangers outfit.
Posta Rangers defeat Mathare in SportPesa League opener
The cool Monday afternoon fixture was a cagey affair initially, with both defenses holding firm and neither side creating clear chances.
Posta Rangers generated the first real opportunity around the half-hour mark. Brian Yakhama pounced on a ball inside the box following a well-delivered cross from Caleb Olilo on the left wing, but Ian Omondi made a crucial clearance just inches from the goal line as the match began to intensify.
Yakhama threatened again from a free-kick, forcing Mathare’s goalkeeper, Kevin Ouro, into a fine save that he warded off out for an inconsequential corner.
At the other end, Posta’s custodian, Fredrick Odhiambo, was tested for the first time by a powerful strike from Paul Kinyanjui.
Odhiambo could only punch the effort, which fell to Herit Mungai on the left wing. Mungai’s cross found Ellie Asieche, whose attempted bicycle kick was cleared.
The ensuing scramble saw the ball strike Kevin Juma’s hand from a deflection off Caleb Olilo, prompting the referee to award a penalty.
Asieche stepped up and converted coolly, giving Mathare the lead heading into halftime and leaving Rangers to rue a defensive lapse.
Sammy Omolo’s Rangers side began the second half with high intensity.
Just seven minutes after the restart, Yakhama squandered a golden chance for an equalizer, shooting wide after a mistake in Mathare’s defense. He missed another opportunity four minutes later, directing a crisp Brian Marita cross wide of the mark. Following these attempts, the forward picked up an injury and was substituted for Lewis Shivachi.
The Mailers continued to control proceedings and appealed for a penalty in the 67th minute when the ball appeared to strike Mungai’s arm in the box.
Instead, the referee awarded an advantage, and Ian Omondi’s subsequent shot was once again cleared perilously close to the goal line as Mathare clung to their lead.
After sustained pressure, the Mailers found their equalizer in the 72nd minute.
Faustin Ojiambo provided a neat finish after Jackson Dwang’s expertly taken free-kick found its way to him.
The initial header from substitute Maxwell Odada cannoned off the woodwork and deflected perfectly into Ojiambo’s path for a simple finish.
Rangers completed their comeback with a counter-attack in the 82nd minute.
Substitute Omondi, who had just entered the fray, announced himself in the top tier by scoring a superb goal with his left foot after connecting with a cross from Shivachi, capitalizing on a momentary falter in John Kamau’s defense.
Posta managed the game intelligently for the remaining minutes, seeing out the match to claim three crucial points and kick off the new Sportpesa league era on a high note.
Mathare United vs Posta Rangers Line-ups
Mathare: Kevin Ouru, Sammy Imbuye, Herit Mungai, Francis Kayugi, Ian Omondi, Brian Ochieng, Mohamed Kilume, Brian Ouru, Paul Kinyanjui, Junior Nyawir, Ellie Asieche.
Posta Rangers: Fredrick Odhiambo, Leon Kimungui, Dimpol Omamo, Faustin Ojiambo, Musa Mohammed, Kevin Juma, Mboya Owen, Jackson Dwang, Brian Yakhama, Brian Otieno, Caleb Olilo.