Mathare United fire blanks in KPL encounter

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Muhoroni Youth and Mathare United fought to a barren draw in yesterday’s Kenyan Premier League (KPL) midweek match in Muhoroni.

The result denied new Muhoroni Youth coach Tom Juma an opportunity to pick his first win in charge of the team.

The former Kenyan international took over from John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla who was sacked after a run of poor results.

Mathare United were chasing all three points in their quest to climb the KPL ladder, but the fact that they were missing the suspended Harambee Stars midfielder Eric Johanna was always going to work against them.

Muhoroni Youth on the other hand were desperate for a home win after a recent run of poor results.

They looked the more ambitious side in yesterday’s match and created early chances which went begging.

It could have been anyone’s match in the second half with both coaches making changes to try and gain an advantage. Mathare United rested Vincent Okello for Bernard Omondi while their opponents had Calvin Omanga coming in for Moses Arita.

Muhoroni Youth will play in the final of the KPL Top-8 on Sunday when they take on Gor Mahia in search of their first ever major silverware on the local scene.

The winner of the tournament walks home with a Sh1million prize money.

Elsewhere, Nzoia United became the first team to clock 70 points in the National Super League (NSL) side after edging out KCB 1-0 at Camp Toyoyo Stadium yesterday.

The result almost guarantees Nzoia a place in next year’s KPL with ten matches to go.

It took a sixth minute goal from Brian Yakhama to decide the match in Nzoia’s favour.

The bankers, relegated from the top flight last year, recently wrote their own history by making it to the semi-finals of the GOtv Shield thanks largely to their experienced players. But still they could not stop the red-hot Nzoia. Going by current form it will take a very good side to end Nzoia’s unbeaten run.

At Ruaraka Stadium, Nakumatt suffered a major set-back after being held to a barren draw by hard fighting Nairobi Stima.

The result leaves Nakumatt in second position on 56 points, 14 less than the leaders. Nairobi Stima on the other hand are ninth with 38 points. Nakumatt’s set-back will no doubt be a cause of concern at the team who have struggled to maintain a consistent run through-out the season despite heavy investment in the playing unit.

Agro-Chemicals stopped Palos 3-1 in another match played on Wednesday.

The win pushed the winners to seventh place on the log with 40 points as Palos remain on tenth spot with 37 points.