Mwaura’s last-ditch strike saves Mathare

Daniel Mwaura dramatic last gasp strike salvaged Mathare United a 2-2 draw against Western Stima in an absorbing SportPesa Premier League clash at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.

Baron Oketch and Fredrick Nyarombo had given the visitors a two-goal lead in the first half to stun the Slum Boys who were aiming to re-establish command of the league they lost after Tusker FC beat Kakamega Homeboyz on Friday.

The 2008 champions got back to the game in the opening minutes of the second half through George Owino before Mwaura saved Francis Kimanzi’s side a share of the spoils in added time.

Stima’s keeper Gabreil Andika shoulder the blame for costing his side victory when he dropped in the box and allowed Mwaura to force it into the net to leave the 2008 champions trailing Tusker by a point in second place with 23.

Mathare went on the attack after the first whistle and won two corners and three promising free-kicks near the area within the first six minutes with SPL Midfielder of the Year; Johanna Omollo and Mwaura pulling the strings.

However, its Stima who took a shock lead in the seventh when Oketch stole the the ball from midfield and out-sprinted Bernard Otieno on the left wing before going round Mathare’s keeper, Peter Odhiambo, who had raced off his line to calmly finish.

Seven minutes later Oketch dribbled around Mathare’s defenders at the edge of the same flank but he opted for the selfish finish instead of laying the assist to an unmarked Francis Ochola as Stima spurned a golden opportunity to extend their lead.

Odhiambo, who came in Mathare’s goal in place of regular Robert Mboya, picked the ball off his net again in the 25th when Stima stretched their advantage in another breakaway effort.

Mathare were hit on the counter when skipper Fredrick Shimonyo found namesake Nyarombo with a low cross for a simple tap in with the home side’s defence nowhere to be found.

A minute later, Nyarombo threatened again shooting powerfully in the box, but Owino blocked to deny Henry Omino’s charges two goals in two minutes.

At the half hour mark, Nyarombo should have given the power men a 3-0 lead but hit the bar with a powerful header with the keeper completely beaten.

By then, Stima was in firm control of the match with Mathare’s left back side leaking every other time, notably having been exploited in the previous two times that the visitors scored.

With the game threatening to run away from his side, Kimanzi withdrew Edward Seda for striker Obadiah Ndege.

The change indeed added the impetus the Slum Boys need to calm the surging pressure, but could not fashion a way back going to the break.

The classic game of two halves saw Mathare return with venom as Ndege missed a sitter in the 47th when he met Otieno’s cross.

Former Harambee Stars coach Kimanzi made his second change four minutes later, resting David Mwangi, a defender, for Harrison Mwendwa, a striker as he attempted to go for broke.

It paid off when captain Owino rose above Stima’s defenders to head home from a floated free-kick past  diving Stima’s keeper Gabreil Andika to make matters 2-1 in the 51st.

The goal fired-up Mathare and forced Stima to retreat with Omino resting the tiring Victor Ochieng with Bernard Ondieki to tighten the midfield.

Nine minutes to time the Stima coach who was desparate to hold on to their slim advantage introduced Herbert Kopany for Nyarombo.

In the 85th, Kopany was controversially denied a spot-kick when he snapped the offside trap and felled inside the box but the referee waved play on.

And the drama was not over when in the last minute of the added five, Mwaura found the finish that left Stima even more aggrieved at the final whistle.