Mathare United head coach John Kamau has revealed the tactical adjustments that helped his side overturn a deficit to secure a stunning 4-1 victory over AFC Leopards at Nyayo National Stadium in a SportPesa League clash.
The win marked a significant turnaround for Mathare United, who came into the match under pressure following back-to-back defeats at the same venue.
The Slum Boys had fallen 1-0 to Shabana FC before suffering a 2-1 loss against arch rivals Gor Mahia, results that left them desperate for a response.
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Meanwhile, Leopards headed into the encounter with hopes of tightening the title race. Victory would have cut the gap between them and league leaders Gor Mahia to just four points, but those ambitions were ultimately crushed by a late Mathare surge.
The opening half was evenly contested, with both teams creating chances but failing to convert. Mathare thought they had taken the lead late in the first half when striker John Mark Makwata found the back of the net, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside, sending the sides into the break level.
Leopards eventually broke the deadlock in the 58th minute through captain Victor Omune. The forward finished off a well-timed low cross from defender Ronald Sichenje on the left flank, giving Ingwe a 1-0 advantage and seemingly putting them on course for a vital victory.
However, the game took a dramatic turn in the closing stages as Mathare mounted an impressive comeback. The equaliser arrived in the 75th minute after Leopards goalkeeper James Ssetuba failed to properly deal with a cross from substitute Paul Kinyanjui. The loose ball fell kindly to Brian Ouru, who made no mistake from close range.
Just six minutes later, Ouru completed his brace after capitalising on a defensive error by Leopards, with his side pressing high to win the ball before he calmly finished it to put Mathare ahead.
Kinyanjui continued to influence the match moments later when shot corner from Omweri,which he knicked it back to Isaac Omweri, whose direct effort sneaked through a crowded box to make it 3-1 in the 85th minute.
The result was sealed late on when Ian Omondi reacted quickest after Leopards failed to clear another corner delivered by Omweri. The defender struck with his left foot to score Mathare’s fourth goal and complete a remarkable turnaround.
Tactical switch that inspired Mathare United win over AFC Leopards
After the match, Kamau explained that the turning point came from targeting Leopards’ left flank and introducing pace in the second half.
“Regarding our substitutions, if you study AFC Leopards, especially the left side of their team, their full-back Semo who has been developed at this club and whom I worked with in the national U20 team during his development stages naturally plays as a wing-back or a winger,” Kamau explained.
“He does not track back often, and that was clear. For anything to happen today, we needed him to make those overlaps. In the second half, we introduced a speedy winger in Paul Kinyanjui, and I think that was the turning point for us.
“We also pushed Brian Ouru slightly forward because we needed a player who is brave on the ball and capable of making those deep runs. Brian gave us exactly that.”
The result handed Mathare United maximum points and a major morale boost after their recent setbacks, while AFC Leopards were left to reflect on a collapse that could dent their title ambitions.