Mathare stun Bandari as Stima shock Thika United

By ERNEST NDUNDA and Brian Moseti                                

Former Premier League champions Mathare United registered their first league win this season after they hit Bandari 1-0 at the Mbaraki Sports Club.

Bandari should blame themselves for not bagging three points after they missed several scoring opportunities especially through Kelpha Aswani in both halves.

Both teams started the match cautiously with Banadri opting for defensive system of play.

Mathare had a major setback in the third minute after Kenneth Wendo was carried off the pitch after sustaining a serious injury with Hussein Zzinda stepping in to manage the midfield.

Bandari came closer to scoring in the 11th minute when Ibrahim Kitawi had only goalkeeper Peter Odhaimbo but his volley went over the bar. Bandari’s Patila Omoto was yellow-carded while Mathare coached by Stanley Okumbi had Edwin Ombaso, Hussein Zzinda and Noah Ambichi booked.

Mathare reinforced their team by bringing in Harrison Mwendwa for Joseph Mwangi and Roy Syamba for Gabriel Nduru, while Bandari rested Bruno Sserenkuma, KItawi and Aswani for Victor Ndinya, Erick Okoth and Justus Anene.

It was in the 48th minute when David Mwangi headed home the all-important goal after he connected Edwin Ombaso’s pass to silence Bandari’s drum-beating fans.

Bandari mounted pressure in the closing minutes but it was too late for them to pull an equalizer. The defeat was the second for Bandari after they lost with the same margin to City Stars last weekend in Nairobi. Meanwhile, Western Stima stunned Thika United 2-1 at the Mumias Complex Stadium yesterday.

 Stima, who were playing under acting coach Rashid Balala, took the lead early in the game.

The hosts scored their first goal  through Paul  Odhiambo in the second minute before their new signing  Collins Netto added their second in the 16th minute after dribbling past Thika defenders before firing in a screamer past the goalkeeper.

Thika united managed their consolation goal in the 77th minute when David Kanguta’s pass from the right flank found Nairuka John well placed to score.

Speaking to FeverPitch after the match, an enraged Thika United  coach John Kamau said: “It is a shame that the officials were not doing what was supposed to be done. There has been a very poor display of officiating skills from the referees.” Elsewhere, Sofapaka hit Top Fry 3-0 in Machakos.