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The Nairobian

Thika United stun Mathare in league tie as AFC Leopards and Homeboyz squeeze wins in tricky encounters

Football

By GILBERT WANDERA AND BOSCO MAGARE | Jul 23, 2016

**MATHARE VS THIKA UNITED Thika United's Asad Musa, left and Mathare's George Owino at Thika Stadium during their Kenya Premier league match on sunday, March 13, 2016. PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD.**

Thika United shocked Mathare United 2-0 by picking just their second away win at Nyayo Stadium Saturday. It was a disappointing performance by Mathare United who failed to prove their potential in both halves.

If anything, it was the visitors who were the more determined side and did well to deny their opponents space. Thika United came into the match with the relegation axe on their heads as they are currently 14th on the log.

Furthermore, the Thika side has had a difficult two seasons where they have had to fight against relegation.

Prior to Saturday’s match, the two sides had played 15 times since 2008 with Mathare United having an edge having won six of those matches. Thika on the other hand had won four times with the other five ending in draws. But all that counted for nothing as Thika United who had won just one match in their last five managed to cut out Mathare United’s play maker Eric Johanna and with it denied the 2008 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) an opportunity to create goal scoring opportunities.

The closest Mathare United came to scoring was in the 6th minute when Daniel Mwaura’s low cross into the box was well dealt with by their opponents for a fruitless corner.

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However, despite managing to cut out their opponents from unleashing their potential, Thika United had just one shot on target and it was an eighth minute attempt by Eugine Mukangula which was well dealt with by Wycliffe Kasaya in goal.

Thika United looked more dangerous as the second half kicked off and had more chances at goal. Vincent Mumo forced a top class save from Mathare United goalkeeper Wycliffe Kasaya in the 58th minute with a well taken free kick.

But after the hour mark, Mathare United’s Daniel Mwaura and Eric Johanna forced saves from Hamuza Muwonge in goal. After that, Mathare United simply disappeared.

Thika United needed just three minutes to stamp their authority in the match. First, Nigerian Onwodi Chibueze beat Wycliffe Kasaya in the 78th minute before Eugine Mukangula added a second three minutes later and with it picked the three valuable points.

In the second match played at Nyayo Stadium, AFC Leopards beat Sony Sugar 1-0 to bounce back to winning ways.

Ugandan import Allan Katerega scored the only goal of the match for Leopards in the third minute as he jumped to head home Bernard Mangoli’s well taken corner kick.

Elsewhere, Kakamega Homeboyz pipped Chemelil Sugar 1-0 at Chemelil Sports Complex Stadium.