Mathare United will welcome Murang’a SEAL to the Kasarani Annex on Saturday afternoon as the two sides face off for the first time this year in the SportPesa League.
The fixture, scheduled to kick off at 3pm, comes at a crucial point in the season with just three matches remaining before the end of the first leg, and both teams eager to head into the break on a positive note.
MSEAL arrive in Nairobi riding a wave of confidence.
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Mathare United seek home boost against in-form MSEAL
Currently sitting 10th on the league table, SEAL boast the longest unbeaten run in the league, having gone nine consecutive matches without defeat(3W,6D).
Their recent form underlines that consistency, with the side unbeaten in their last five outings, recording two wins and three draws.
Over the course of the season, Murang’a SEAL have scored 15 goals, conceded 14, and kept four clean sheets, a balance that has made them one of the more difficult teams to break down.
At the heart of their push is captain Joe Waithira, who is enjoying a prolific campaign and currently sits second on the SportPesa League top scorers chart. With the first leg nearing its conclusion, Waithira has set his sights firmly on finishing strongly.
“We are on a good run, we have won our last two matches and we look to finish the first leg on a high,”Waithira said.
“Personally, I’m targeting two to three goals in the remaining three matches to finish the first leg on a high too and close in on the top scorers.”
Mathare United, meanwhile, head into the contest placed 12th in the standings, but their position does not fully reflect their defensive resilience.
The Slum Boys have kept a clean sheet in at least the first half in 11 consecutive matches, an impressive statistic that highlights their organisation at the back.
They have scored nine goals, conceded 12, and goalkeeper Kevin Ouru has been outstanding, keeping seven clean sheets, placing him among the league’s top performers in that category.
However, Mathare’s challenge has been at the other end of the pitch.
A mixed run of form before the Christmas break saw them win two, lose two and draw one in their last five matches, with a recurring struggle to convert chances into goals.
Mathare United vs Murang’a SEAL team news
In response, the club has moved swiftly in mid-season transfer market, bringing in experienced forward Michael Oduor to bolster their attack.
Head coach John Kamau believes the new signing could be the missing piece.
“We have struggled with scoring this season and this was a major reason why we have looked into the market to find solutions,” Kamau explained.
“Oduor is an experienced player who gives us a big presence in our forward line and alleviates some of the scoring burden.”
Both teams head into the fixture with fully fit squads, aided by the recent two-week Christmas break, giving coaches a rare chance to work with all their players at full strength.
Mathare United vs Murang’a SEAL h2h
History slightly favours Murang’a SEAL, who are unbeaten in their two previous meetings with Mathare United, winning one and drawing the other.
As the first leg draws to a close, Saturday’s clash promises a compelling battle between SEAL’s momentum and Mathare’s renewed attacking ambition, with valuable points firmly on the line.
Kick off time and where to watch
The match kicks off at the Kasarani Annex from 3pm and will be broadcast live on Azam Sports HD 3.
For fans planning to attend the match, tickets are available exclusively online at KES 100 and can be purchased via fanpass.ke.