Mathare United secured their first home victory of the Sportpesa League 2025/26 season, denying Kakamega Homeboyz a chance to go top of the table with a 2-0 win on Saturday evening at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The result, were courtesy by second-half goals from Donald Ange and an Eugene Okoth own goal from a John Nyawir deflected shot, marked a return to winning ways for Mathare, while extending Homeboyz’s winless run to three matches.
The Slum Boys set up in a 1-4-4-2 Diamond system. Ouru was in between the posts. Fidel Castro and John Nyawir retained their fullback positions, while Francis Kayugi partnered Ian Omondi in central defense.
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In midfield, Brian Rio Ochieng’ anchored the base with Steve Kimari and Brian Ouru as the central midfielders, while in-form Elli Asieche was at the tip of the diamond. Donald Ange joined Dennis Okoth in attack.
The visiting team, Homeboyz, made one change, welcoming back the Captain Moses Mudavadi, who had been sidelined with injury, in place of Derrick Otanga.
Edwin Mukolwe retained his place in goal, assisted by John Omondi, Boniface Onyango, Eugen Okoth, and Potiphar Odhiambo at the heart of the defense.
Hillary Juma, Eston Omengo, and Rodgers Ouma complimented each other in central midfield with Mudavadi, Josphat Lopaga, and Henry Omollo in attack.
The visitors would be the first to knock on the door, capitalizing on a defensive lapse for Omollo and Lopaga to combine, but the two-versus-one counter-attack was thwarted by Fidel Omondi in the tenth minute.
Seven minutes later, once again, the visitors came close to finding the opener, but Rodgers Ouma’s effort hit the upright. The match went into halftime with both teams failing to register a shot on target.
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At the start of the second half, Mathare Head Coach John Kamau responded to the slow start with a double change, introducing Musa Masika and Paul Kinyanjui in place of Steve Kimari and Dennis Okoth.
The substitution would prove vital just seven minutes later when Masika held the ball beautifully before setting up the marauding Nyawir, who hit the ball, forcing Eugene Okoth to put it into his own net to break the deadlock.
With ten minutes to play, once again, Musa combined with Nyawir on the left. Nyawir delivered a wonderful cross that saw Donald Ange rise highest to score his first goal of the season.
The loss means Abana Beingo fail to climb to the top of the table, while Mathare get their first win in four matches.
