Mathare earn precious away point, Nakumatt empty Nzoia

Mathare United claimed a valuable away point after a barren draw with Ulinzi Stars in Saturday’s Kenyan Premier League (KPL) clash at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.

The result meant the visitors’ perfect start to the season came to a halt but will content to take a point home from an evenly contested encounter.

At the Camp Toyoyo grounds in Nairobi, Wazito FC and Kakamega Homeboyz settled for the day’s other goalless draw while Brian Nyakan scored the lone goal as Nakumatt FC edged Nzoia United 1-0 at the Sudi Stadium in Bungoma County.

At the Chemelil Complex, Amani Kyata scored for Chemelil at the death to force a 1-1 draw with Kariobangi Sharks after they had gone down in the 81st minute courtesy of Erick Kapaito’s strike

In Nakuru, Mathare enjoyed the better opening spell, with Daniel Mwaura on the end of two chances inside the first quarter-hour although he failed to make either count.

Edward Seda showed good vision to first spot him on the right wing and teed him clear on goal. Goalkeeper Timothy Odhiambo was however quick off his lines to close him down and force him into a hopeful dink that went wide.

Clifford Alwanga then created another chance with his brilliant hold-up play allowing Mwaura enough space to shoot but he was never going to hit the target with his weaker left foot.

Ulinzi skipper Omar Mbongi then showed great awareness to track Seda’s run and shield him out of play after the midfielder had been played through by Cliff Nyakeya.

The visitors had started with the higher tempo but Ulinzi slowly found their rhythm going and it was Oliver Ruto who had the first attempt on goal although keeper Robert Mboya was hardly troubled as he watched the effort harmlessly wide and over.

Forwards Masita Masuta were getting little service from the middle with the hosts unable to string enough passes to open up the visiting defence thanks to some relentless pressing from Francis Kimanzi’s men.

Nyakeya should have opened the scoring in the 38th minute when he raced onto Seda’s low cross but Brian Birgen arrived just in time to throw his body into the path of his shot and it rolled slowly into Odhiambo’s safe hands.

Neither side would fashion a breakthrough at the break and it was Ulinzi who felt aggrieved at the restart as the referee turned down a penalty appeal and had another shot from Churchill Muloma kept out in an impressive five-minute blitz.

Seda then found Alwanga inside the area with a cross but it was too high and the former Tusker FC man failed to keep his header down.

A clever free-kick Daniel Waweru created good space for Cliff Kasuti to run into and shoot but it was too straight at Mboya and he had little trouble picking it up.

Ulinzi troubled again, this time from a corner which Mbongi got on the end of it. His looping header beat Mboya but George Owino poked it away at the goal-line.

The defender’s half-clearance fell kindly into the path of Ruto but Mboya recovered in time to push it away. Muloma then had his chance but he rammed his effort onto Owino who hoofed it away to safety as Mathare survived.

Summarised Results

Ulinzi Stars 0-0 Mathare United

Wazito FC 0-0 Kakamega Homeboyz

Chemelil Sugar 1-1 Kariobangi Sharks

Nzoia Sugar FC 0-1 Nakumatt FC