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Mathare lick Nzoia

Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 00:00 | By
Nzoia Sugar striker Philip Muchuma attempts to get away from Mathare United’s defender Martin Werunga during their BetKing Premier League clash at Kasarani Annex yesterday. Photo/PD/PHILIP KAMAKYA

Mathare United had to fight hard to get a slim 1-0 win over visiting Nzoia Sugar at Kasarani Annex yesterday to temporarily move out of the drop zone in the BetKing Premier League.

James Kinyanjui’s solo effort in the 57th minute was enough to give Salim Ali’s boys a deserved three points to make it eight points in the bag and 16th on the log.

Coach Ali was happy with his team’s progress praising the discipline the players displayed. 

“It was a good game overall and I am happy with our second win of the season.I am seeing a team that is developing.We played according to plan so that is a positive.”

 The Sugarmen started off with a bang as their front three of Philip Muchuma, Leonard Kasembeli and Gaetano Masha on the offensive forcing the Slum Boys to be extra careful especially with the flank attacks.

  Goalkeeper Job Ochieng on several occasions had to get out of his goal to keep the Nzoia attackers at bay.

 Shortly, it became a bit of a problem to handle the ball inside the 20th minute as some light rainfall made the playing surface a tad difficult.

 However the hosts adapted better and took the game to the opponents. 

The midfield battle was electric between Chris Oduor of Mathare and Kevin Juma of the opposing side,but it was the fast breaks by either sides through the flanks that made the match worthwhile.

Tricky Masha was a menace for Mathare United as they sought all sorts of means to neutralise him but he turned out to be a real venom with the Slum Boys left back Martin Werunga having to be hawk eyed even as a double threat in the form of Daniel Musamali and Felicien Okanda lurked near.

 In the second half, Mathare proved to be agile while compact on the back as Nzoia poured numbers upfront.

The introduction of Joseph Mwangi and Ian Simiyu brought bite for the Sugarmen as they started to ask questions of the opposing defence with Mathare captain Prior having to fall deep to assist in covering goalkeeper Job Ochieng.

 It meant Mathare had now to settle for long balls as they looked to catch the opponents’ rearguard napping.

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