- Mathare United beat Nairobi United 0-1 at Dandora Stadium.
- Paul Kinyanjui sealed the win with a late strike in the 83rd minute.
- The win moved Mathare to eighth on the log on 14 points.
Mathare United returned to winning ways after edging Nairobi United 0-1 in a rescheduled 25/26 SportPesa League encounter at a fully packed Dandora Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
Paul Kinyanjui’s late second-half strike was the difference in a match that swung from end to end, with both sides creating numerous chances but failing to find cutting edge until the 84th minute.
Mathare United arrived for the match fresh from nearly two weeks without action, having last featured in their narrow 1–0 loss to Police FC on November 22.
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Mathare United beat Nairobi United
With dependable wing back Nyawir Junior ruled out through injury, head coach John Kamau handed Herit Mungai a starting spot at the back. Dennis Okoth, Mohammed Kilume and Peter Oudu, who all started on the bench in their last outing, were recalled into the first eleven.
For Nairobi United, the focus was on bouncing back from their CAF Confederation Cup disappointment after a painful 1–0 loss to AS Maniema Union at Kasarani.
Coach Nicholas Muyoti brought back midfielder Brian Opondo, who had missed the continental clash due to suspension after his red card against Wydad Casablanca, David Wafula and Majaliwa Charo back to the starting line-up, with Wafula slotting in at right back.
Mathare started the brighter side, with Musa Masika dazzling past his marker in the third minute to pick out Mungai, whose effort deflected out for an early corner. Minutes later, a brilliant sequence from midfielder Ouru opened up space for David Okoth to feed Kilume, but the midfielder’s shot curled wide.
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Nairobi United responded almost immediately on the counter. Enock Machaka, lively throughout the first half, found space inside the box only for Mungai to track back and deflect his effort for a corner in the seventh minute.
The match’s early defining moment came when Okoth missed a one-on-one chance, dragging his effort inches wide with only goalkeeper Kevin Oduor to beat. Nairobi United threatened next, when Machaka latched onto a through ball but was flagged offside in the 19th minute.
Mathare goalkeeper Kevin Ouru then kept his side alive with back-to-back saves first denying Charo’s well-taken free kick in the 20th minute, then reacting superbly to stop Shami Kibwana’s volley six minutes later.
A scramble in the Nairobi United box shortly after saw Mathare unable to convert several half-chances as the pressure mounted.
Mathare United vs Nairobi United stats
Mathare were dealt a blow when Mohammed Kilume limped off with a hamstring injury, forcing the introduction of skipper Elli Asieche, the club’s top scorer and joint league top scorer with four goals.
The breakthrough continued to elude both sides as the match went into halftime at with the deadlock intact.
Nairobi United almost took the lead in the 46th minute when Charo failed to steer a golden opportunity on target after a clever through ball put him clear. Mathare responded five minutes later as Lesley Otieno made a crucial clearance to deny the dangerous David Okoth in the 52nd minute.
In the 58th minute, Ian Omondi made an excellent headed clearance to cut out Machaka’s brilliant cross that seemed destined for Kibwana’s feet.
Mathare United felt aggrieved in the 66th minute when Fidel Otieno was brought down at the edge of the box, but the referee awarded only a free kick instead of the penalty they believed they deserved.
Mathare United beat Nairobi United
As the match grew cagey, both sides made attacking substitutions. Mathare introduced Donald Ange and Sam Imbuye, while Nairobi United brought in Michael Karamor, teenage talent Dancan Omala, Isaac Omweri and Adams Nyambane.
Mathare’s persistence paid off in the 84th minute. Nairobi United defender John Otieno failed to deal with Masika’s teasing delivery, and the ball fell kindly to Paul Kinyanjui, who reacted quickly to fire home and give the Slum Boys a crucial lead.
Nairobi United nearly equalised in the 89th minute when Omweri’s silky move left Imbuye on the turf before he released Omala whose fierce strike was brilliantly saved by Ouru.
A late shot from Kevin Otiende hit the side netting, and Lennox Ogutu’s effort in stoppage time drifted wide as Mathare United held on.
The victory ensured Mathare United maintained their unbeaten record against Nairobi United in all three meetings between the two sides, having completed a double over them in the FKF National Super League before today’s top-flight win.
Mathare United Starting XI
Kevin Ouru (GK), Fidel Otieno, Herit Mungai, Ian Omondi, Francis Kayugi, Brian Ochieng, Mohammed Kilume, Brian Ouru, Paul Kinyanjui, Musa Masika, Dennis Okoth.
Nairobi United Starting XI
Kevin Oduor (GK), David Wafula, John Otieno, Lennox Ogutu, Kevin Otiende, Brian Omondi, Lesley Otieno, Enock Machaka, Majaliwa Charo, Frank Ouya, Shami Kibwana.