Alwanga breaks Kisumu All-Stars hearts

Isaac Swila in Kisumu

Clifford Alwanga fired in the winner in the 77th minute as Mathare United battled from a goal down to pull a 2-1 win over winless Kisumu All-Stars at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

Gershon Osumba’s deflected strike shortly after the break gave the home team the lead but Kevin Kimani equalised for the Slum Boys in the 75th minute with a simple header before Alwanga had the final say with a thumping strike.

Mathare had collected seven points in their last five matches and the victory in the lakeside city hauled their tally to 10.

All-Stars, winless in the campaign needed to record their first win of the season in what is turning out to be a treacherous campaign for them but it was not to be leaving veteran head coach Henry Omino under massive pressure.

From five matches All-Stars had mustered just a point and by taking the lead here, they got a glimmer of hope before a partisan pocket of fans on the terraces but Mathare had other plans.

After missed chances in the first half, Georson Osumba rifled in from 10yards, his shot taking a deflection off the forest of Mathare players to evade goalie Job Ochieng in Mathare goal.

This lead lifted their spirits in a slow-paced duel played under the most ideal of conditions on the artificial turf after an early shower.

The Slum Boys, pedestrian in approach moreso in the first half saw them trail with Alwanga fumbling from an aerial attempt four minutes to the break, and Martin Ongori’s long range effort flicked over by All-Stars custodian John Amuoth before they atoned for the misses in the second half.

All-Stars keen not to lose at home launched barrage of attacks one after the other late, late in the game, substitute Steven Otieno making a penetrating run from the left wing but Mathare goalie Job Ochieng came out of his line to thwart him with a stretched palm for an unsuccesful corner.