Mathare short circuit Stima in Kakamega

• Print PDF

The 2008 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Mathare United secured their third win of the second leg with a 0-1 victory away to Western Stima on Saturday 28 July.

Mangi miss

The visitors started the game slowly; seeming intent to take in the early pressure as Western Stima proved the more ambitious of the two and Alloys Mangi will live to regret his 16^th minute miss after a wonderful pass from Ali Bai.

Andrew Tololwa grabbed the all important goal for the former champions in the 37th minute when he benefited greatly from Kevin Oluoch’s miss at the edge of the box from a through pass by Dennis Nzomo. He controlled with a great first touch before slotting it home at the far post past the advancing David Juma.

Nzomo outstanding

With the lead taken, Mathare United slowly took control of the game with short and precise passes as the break approached with Dennis Nzomo the most outstanding in the midfield.

The home side came after the break with clear intent to get the equalizer, and they should have pegged Mathare back in the 50^th minute but Alloys Mangi’s hard and well taken shot was parried clear by the impressive Martin Musalia in the Mathare United goal.

Too hard

Stima did introduce Francis Chinjili and Wesley Kemboi to boost the offensive department but the defense marshaled by captain Anthony Kimani was always going to be too hard to penetrate.

In the end, it is Mathare who rose one place, to the 12^th position, in the standings with 22 points, at least until City Stars play Chemelil Sugar on Sunday 29 July while Western Stima remained at position seven but could drop lower with Karuturi Sport and Chemelil Sugar set to play KCB and City Stars respectively on Sunday 29 July.