Murang’a SEAL continued their impressive run in the SportPesa League after seeing off Mathare United 0-2 in an entertaining clash played at the Kasarani Annex, extending their dominance over the Slum Boys and stretching their unbeaten streak to 10 matches.
Coming into the encounter, Murang’a SEAL were already unbeaten in their last two meetings against Mathare United and boasted the longest active unbeaten run in the league at nine matches.
Determined to protect that record, head coach Osborne Monday opted to maintain his trusted starting XI, anchoring his attack around captain Joe Waithira, Victor Haki and the lively Osama.
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While Coach John Kamau gave new signing Michael Oduor his debut starting in attack alongside Dennis Okoth with Musa Masika handed the creative role.
Murang’a SEAL smash Mathare United 0-2
The early stages of the match belonged to Murang’a SEAL, who showed intent from the opening whistle.
Osama was particularly troublesome down the flank, forcing Mathare United defender Sammy Imbuye into action with two quick shots inside the opening 20 minutes, both of which were bravely blocked.
The breakthrough arrived in the 28th minute following a well-worked team move. Osama surged down the right wing before delivering a teasing cross into the area.
Memusi got a faint touch, and the ball fell kindly to captain Joe Waithira, who cleverly nicked it with the back of his heel into the path of Victor Haki. Alert and composed, Haki slotted home from close range to give SEAL a deserved lead.
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Mathare United nearly found an immediate response three minutes later when Musa Masika slid in to meet an Ian Omondi cross, but his effort sailed just over the bar.
That miss seemed to lift MSEAL further, as they continued to probe for a second goal. In the 36th minute, an outswinging cross by Haki caused panic in the Mathare box, but Fidel Otieno was on hand to clear the danger.
Two minutes later, Waithira came agonisingly close to doubling the advantage. Breaking free inside the box, the SEAL skipper unleashed a powerful effort that forced goalkeeper Kevin Ouru into an instinctive left-handed save a top stop that kept Mathare United in the contest. The first half ended 1-0 in favour of Murang’a SEAL.
Recognising his side’s struggles in midfield, Mathare United head coach John Kamau made changes before the restart, introducing captain Elli Asieche and striker Donald Ange in place of Musa Masika and Michael Oduor.
The substitutions brought renewed energy, and Mathare began to enjoy more possession after the break.
In the 57th minute, Brian Ouru tried his luck from distance, but his effort was always rising. Eight minutes later, Murang’a SEAL goalkeeper Mustapha Oduor was called into action, producing a succession of saves to deny Nyawir Junior and Dennis Okoth as Mathare pushed hard for an equaliser.
The Slum Boys came closest in the 67th minute when they won a free kick at the edge of the area. Asieche stepped up and unleashed a brilliant strike that crashed off the crossbar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Mathare continued to throw numbers forward, even handing a debut to Isaac Omweri as they searched desperately for a leveller, but the Murang’a defence marshalled by Ngugi and Munyovi stood firm.
Joe Waithira almost sealed the game earlier after beating his marker, only to trip at the crucial moment. However, the decisive moment came in stoppage time.
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Substitute Michael Macharia, who had replaced the injured Telvin Maina, delivered a neat pass from the right to Kenya U20 midfielder Jackson Imbiakha.
With a fine first touch and a quick glance up, Imbiakha unleashed a thunderous strike from over 20 yards that flew past Kevin Ouru, sealing the victory and sparking celebrations among the Murang’a faithful.
Mathare United vs Murang’a SEAL SportPesa League lineups
- Mathare United XI: Kevin Ouru (GK), Sammy Imbuye, Nyawir Junior, Fidel Otieno, Ian Omondi, Brian Ochieng, Brian Ouru, Mohammed Kilume, Michael Oduor, Musa Masika, Dennis Okoth.
- Murang’a SEAL XI: Mustapha Oduor (GK), Musa, Munyovi, Ngugi, Telvin Maina, Price, Owen, Memusi, Joe Waithira (C), Victor Haki, Osama.