Sports

Mixed results in KPL midweek ties

Thursday, January 26th, 2023 09:20 | By
Stafford Odhiambo of Ulinzi Stars (R) vies for the ball against Alfred Maningi of MCF during their Elite pre-season match at Kasarani yesterday. PD/ Rodgers Ndegwa

Mathare United recorded their first win in the 2022/2023 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League with a shock 3-1 dismissal of Bidco United at Utalii grounds yesterday.

The ‘slum boys’ who are gracing the lower reaches of the league made Bidco look ordinary and would have pulled a bigger win were it not for wastefulness, especially in the first half.

However, it was the Thika-based Bidco side that was first off the blocks when Peter Nzuki gave them the lead in the 14th minute before Mathare roared back to life by executing a leveller through Donald Ange in the 37th minute.

After the resumption, Mathare came back even stronger, Daniel Otieno scoring the second goal on the half-hour mark from a tight angle.

In the 87th minute, Curtis Wekesa wrapped up the scores which effectively killed off any chance for Bidco, who had played the game on the back foot, to make a comeback.

 Despite the success, Mathare is still stuck at the basement of the league and will have to register more wins to move out of the relegation zone.

In the meantime, resurgent AFC Leopards registered their third straight win after eclipsing Kenya Police 1-0 at Nyayo National Stadium with Nigerian import Ojo Olaniyi on target in the 71st minute.

The win came as a huge boost for Ingwe who had earlier beaten Bandari 2-0 and Mathare United 2-1.

At Kasarani Annex, Tusker’s leadership was dealt a blow after the brewers were held to a barren draw by Ulinzi Stars.

KCB also had their egos bruised in a 1-1 draw with Posta Rangers and will have to pull their socks against the same team in the return fixture this weekend if they hope to remain among the frontrunners in the league.

Meanwhile, Gor Mahia’s surge towards the top continues with a tricky match against FC Talanta at Kasarani main stadium today.

Gor has been on a roll with their latest conquest being a 3-1 beating of Vihiga Bullets at Moi Stadium in Kisumu and to say that the team start favourites against Talanta could be an understatement.

K’ogalo in-form striker Benson Omala, who leads the league’s score chart with nine goals, is once again expected to be the team’s inspiration against Talanta who will be seeking to heal the wounds of a 2-1 defeat by Bidco United last weekend.

Omala almost single-handedly helped Gor to ‘dodge’ Bullets in Kisumu but he will need the assistance of the likes of George “Blackberry” Odhimabo and Boniface Omondi to prise open Talanta’s defence that has leaked in 19 goals thus far in the campaign.

A win for Gor, who are placed fourth in the chart,  will push them to within touching distance of the leadership that is currently held by Tusker

For Talanta, one of the players to watch is Dennis Oalo, himself a former Gor player, who reduced the team’s arrears during the beating by Bidco. 

More on Sports


ADVERTISEMENT