Muhoroni, Mathare draw blanks as KPL resumes

Muhoroni Youth and Mathare United shared a limp barren draw as the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) resumed on Wednesday at Muhoroni Stadium.

With one eye on the KPL final against Gor Mahia on Sunday, the hosts failed to capitalise on opponents who hardly shifted from second gear despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession.

The two sides were without key players with Muhoroni missing the services of Wycliffe Ochomo who is out suspended by the club on disciplinary grounds while Mathare’s influential midfielder Eric Johanna was ineligible to play after accumulating five yellow cards.

Mathare inched above Chemelil Sugar to fourth on 39 points on goal difference as Muhoroni remained ninth (34) with both sides having played 26 games, one more than the rest of the competition.

“It’s an important point for especially considering our opponents today. They are a big team and so is their coach. Despite missing a few players due to injuries I can say I’m impressed by the performance of my team,” Muhoroni’s interim Coach, Tom Juma told Citizen Digital after the match.

Muhoroni were left to rue a host of chances that would have rewarded their dominance over the 2008 champions who have failed to hit the heights in the second leg of the season.

In the opening quarter, Muhoroni spurned the first chance when Yusuf Mohammed sent his header wide after being set up by a brilliant cross from Benjamin Mosha.

Mathare keeper, Robert Mboya, then pulled off a wonderful save from Moses Arita to keep the scores level at the break with both teams unable to fashion notable scoring chances.

Juma who was in interim charge for the second game saw his Muhoroni side continue being on top after the game prompting his opposite number, Francis Kimanzi to pull off Vincent Okello for Bernard Ouma as he sought to gain the initiative for Mathare.

Sammy Ndungu almost gifted his manager a first victory at the Awendo-based club when he forced Mboya to a double save in the 60th minute.

Muhoroni poured forward with ten minutes to go with the introduction of forward Andrew Sekayombya galvanizing their attack but were unabe to break down the opposition’s defence as each settled for a point.

However, no one could settle the contest played in intense heat that took its toll on the players as the second stanza progressed.

-Additional reporting by Matthews Mutai

SQUADS

MUHORONI YOUTH

Faruk Shikhalo, Yusuf Mohammed, Mike Simiyu, Kelvin Omondi, Abdalla Hamisi, Benjamin Mosah, Kennedy Rono, Moses Arita (Calvince Omanga), Francis Ochola (Andrew Sekayombya), Samuel Ndungu

SUBS: Kennedy Otieno, Peter Okore, James Ogada, Daniel Otieno, Lwamba Bebeto.

MATHARE UNITED

Robert Mboya (GK), Robinson Kamura, David Mwangi, Andrew Juma, George Owino, Vincent Okello, (Bernard Omondi), Whyvonne Isuza, Crispin Oduor, Duke Abuya, Daniel Mwaura, Derrick Onyango

SUBS: Wycliffe Kasaya (GK), Ronald Okoth, Harrison Mwendwa, Musa Oundo, Cliff Nyakeya, Alphonce Ndonye