Kimanzi terms Ruaraka grounds a “big joke” as Mathare’s jigsaw continues

Mathare United head Francis Kimanzi labelled the Ruaraka grounds a ‘big joke’ as he slammed the quality of the pitch following their Kenyan Premier League (KPL) clash against Tusker FC on Saturday.

Kimanzi’s side emerged 2-1 victors over hosts Tusker but Ruaraka’s patchy playing surface did not escape stern assessment from the veteran tactician who maintained it was unfit to host top flight matches.

The Ruaraka grounds, alongside Camp Toyoyo had been suspended by the KPL’s Stadia Safety and Security Committee due to the irregular and dry nature of its playing surface but was reinstated a week later after re-inspection.

“It’s sad that this is a pitch that was approved to host Kenyan Premier League fixtures but I don’t know because I understand we have a technical committee that handles these things. If they approved this one then that’s a big joke,” Kimanzi said.

The veteran tactician however hailed his side’s win as a momentous victory that served to signify their credibility as genuine title challengers seven rounds into the new season.

The victory saw the ‘Slum Boys’ open a two-point gap at the top of the KPL standings and meant they are one of only three sides yet to taste defeat this season alongside Bandari FC and Kariobangi Sharks.

“It’s (the victory) very important for me in terms of the measure of our momentum against such a tough side. I told my boys if we play well even when the pitch is so poor like it was today we can get a result and I think we did it,” Kimanzi added.

Newcomers Western Stima missed the chance to stay apace with the league front-runners when they lost 2-1 to Kariobangi Sharks with the result allowing Bandari FC to go above them into second on the log.

Meanwhile, Ulinzi picked themselves up from their shocking to the season after defeating Sony Sugar 2-1 for only their first victory KCB pulling off the biggest upset of the weekend by defeating AFC Leopards 1-0 in Machakos.

SUMMARISED WEEKEND RESULTS

Wednesday

Gor Mahia FC 2-1 Posta Rangers

Saturday

Mount Kenya United FC 1-2 Bandari FC

Tusker FC 1-2 Mathare United

Kakamega Homeboyz 1-1 Zoo Kericho FC

AFC Leopards SC 0-1 KCB FC

Sunday

Kariobangi Sharks 2-1 Western Stima FC

Sony Sugar 1-2 Ulinzi Stars

Vihiga United 1-1 Sofapaka

Posta Rangers 0-2 Chemelil Sugar