Soaring Mathare four points clear as angry Manoah reads riot act

Mathare United went four points clear at the summit of the Kenyan Premier League table following a 1-0 win over giants Tusker at the weekend.

The ‘slum Boys’ sweet-savoured win over Tusker hauled them to 23 points, opening a four point cushion between them and second-placed Gor Mahia who were tied on continental duty at the weekend.

Gor who have played just seven games, three less than Mathare, can however reclaim the leadership of the table if they win their next two games.

AFC Leopards who rallied from behind to settle for a 2-2 draw against Nzoia Sugar are now placed third on the grid on 17 points, two adrift of their traditional rivals Gor Mahia as Sofapaka(16) and Bandari(15) complete the top five.

At the same time, Leopards head coach Dennis Kitambi has rued bad luck as his boys rallied from behind to force a 2-2 draw with Nzoia United in a league match at the same venue.

Kitambi, in a post match interview with Citizen Digital said his team could have won the match had his strikers converted the numerous chances that came their way.

“We tried our best but my strikers did not use the many chances the team created,” he said. “We could have scored more than four goals yesterday. I was aiming for a win after 4-2 disappointment in the hand of 11-time champions Tusker.”

Ingwe will now shift their focus to Zoo Kericho whom they confront this weekend at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

Meanwhile, Vihiga United head coach Edward Manoah has cautioned his defenders to pull up their socks and avoid conceding easy goals as was the case on Sunday when they were held to a 1-1 draw against Chemilil Sugar at the Mumias Complex.

Manoah is clearly not pleased with his defensive frailties which allowed Benjamin Oketch to score in the 12th minute, noting that the goal could have been avoided.

“I am not that happy with the draw, we were aiming at getting three points but unfortunately our defenders and keeper Barnabas Tiema messed us up. Oketch’s goal could have been avoided…,” he said, adding that “the goalkeeper also didn’t do enough to prevent the goal.”

He went on: “I am a bit impressed by the level of confidence in them; they have really improved as compared to some few weeks ago. I hope they will continue like this and hopefully we shall finish in a better position.”

Weekend results

Sony 2-2 Kariobangi Sharks

Vihiga 1-1 Chemilil

Bandari 1-1 Ulinzi

Kakamega Homeboys 2-0 Nakumatt

Mathare 1-0 Tusker

Thika 2-1 Sofapaka

Zoo 1-0 Posta Rangers

Nzoia 2-2 Afc Leopards