Thika stun Mathare to derail title charge

Mathare United’s title charge was derailed on Saturday after the 2008 winners were stunned 2-0 by struggling Thika United in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) for a damaging fourth defeat of the season.

Nigerian import Onwudi Chibueze marked his debut for the milkmen with the opening goal in the 78th before Eugene Mukangula landed the killer blow barely two minutes later.

Thika remain 14th on 19 points while Mathare retain third place on 31, level with defending champions Gor Mahia who have the chance to pull clear if they beat relegation threatened Nairobi City Stars on Sunday.

It was Thika’s second victory on the road all season and puts them in good stead to avoid the drop.

Mathare had the greater share of possession but James Nandwa’s defensive approach worked with the Thika based club limiting the Slum Boys to only a few chances in front of goal.

The 2008 champions conjured the first chance of the game in the sixth after a clever pass from David Mwaura released Crispinus Oduor whose shot was blocked for a corner that didn’t bother the Thika custodian.

Oduor became the first player to go into the referee’s book for his dangerous tackle on Dennis Odhiambo in the 22nd.

Sammy Meja was shown a yellow card five minutes past the half hour for handling the ball outside the box, with 2015 KPL Midfielder of the Year Eric Johanna taking the resultant free kick that flew wide.

Mathare returned the stronger side after the restart with Alphonce Ndonye setting up Mwaura in the 59th but his feeble shot did not trouble the Thika custodian who enjoyed a solid day in between the sticks.

A minute later Vincent Omumbo came close to opening the scoring curling a beautiful free kick but the fully stretched Wycliffe Kasaya denied him tipping the ball over the bar for a fruitless corner.

Chibueze had a chance to break the deadlock in the 76th after beating David Mwangi and Kasaya but his goal bound shot was cleared off the line by George Owino.

Two minutes later, Chibueze finally got his goal in spectacular fashion, his side-foot volley beating Kasaya from a difficult angle to make it 1-0.

Before Mathare could fashion a response, Thika were 2-0 up when a long ball from keeper Hamuza Muwonge found an unmarked Mukangula who blasted the ball to the back of the net.

Nandwa decided to conserve his lead in the dying minutes of the game withdrawing goal scorer Mukangula for Musa Saad.