Oduor stars as Mathare down Homeboyz to go top of the log

Mathare United fought back from a goal down to overcome Kakamega Homeboyz 3-2 on Saturday as they reclaimed their spot at the top of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) standings.

Allan Wanga put Homeboyz in front inside just eight minutes before Chrispine Oduor hit a quickfire brace 10 minutes later and Cliff Nyakeya struck at the half-hour mark to put Mathare 3-1 up.

Luke Namanda scored at the stroke of full time. It was only the first time this season the Slum Boys have come from a goal down and went on to win with a performance that only served as another demonstration of their title credentials.

At the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, 10-man KCB FC held on for a 1-1 draw against Vihiga United. Mwinyi Shami Kibwana scored to put KCB in front in the seventh minute before Stephen Wakhanya cancelled it out in the 33rd, while Sofapaka and Sony Sugar played out to a barren draw at the same venue.

Homeboyz raced ahead early with Wanga Peter Thiongo’s cross into the box found Wanga who expertly put it past Mathare goalkeeper Allan Owiny with a controlled finish.

It was all about Mathare from there on, as the hosts seized control of the proceedings with Chrispine Ochieng and Cliff Nyakeya both going close in the 13th and 17th minutes.

Oduor drew Mathare level three minutes later thanks to some good work from winger James Kinyanjui who cut back a neat ball for the forward who placed it high past goalkeeper Gabriel Andika and into his roof.

Mathare went in front and it was Oduor on target again, placing his second finish exactly where he had arrowed his first but this time from a rebound after Kinyanjui had been denied by Andika.

Coach Francis Kimanzi’s men were creating chances at will but did not have the right finishing to match with Nyakeya missing a sitter after Kinyanjui had laid it for him on a plate.

Namanda had the chance had chance to make it 2-2 after embarking on an impressive solo run but was thwarted by Owiny after choosing to go round him when he should have taken his shot early instead.

Thiongo shot wide from a fast break later before Nyakeya’s effort at the near post was kept out by Andika at the other end. Kevin Kimani put a cross in but Nyakeya could not get a touch with an outstretching foot.

Nyakeya finally had his goal in the 60th minute, racing into Oduor’s splitting pass before pulling a couple dummy shots until Andika sat down in surrender to leave him with simplest task of rolling it into the net.

Namanda pulled one back in the 90th minute but it counted for nothing more than a consolation as Mathare claimed victory.

SUMMARISED RESULTS
Thursday
Bandari FC 1-0 Posta Rangers
Chemelil Sugar 1-2 AFC Leopards SC
Zoo Kericho 1-1 Kariobangi Sharks
Saturday
KCB FC 1-1 Vihiga United
Mathare United 3-2 Kakamega Homeboyz

Sofapaka 0-0 Sony Sugar