Mathare dribble towards safe direction: Mathare see off Nzoia to ease relegation fears
Mathare United kept their Kenyan Premier League survival hopes alive after silencing a determined Nzoia Sugar 1-0 yesterday at Kasarani Stadium.
Samuel Olwande's first-half penalty and impressive second-half goalkeeping by Levis Opiyo ensured the 15th-placed Francis Kimanzi's charges take their points tally to 35 to improve their chances of avoiding the chop with two rounds of matches to go.
Mathare made a bright start as they pilled pressure on the visitors. However, it is Nzoia, who came close in the seventh minute through a counter attack, but Masita Masuta's effort at the edge of the box missed target by inches.
Three minutes later, Edward Seda saw his free kick from a promising position cleared by the millers' defence.
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However, after a series of raids, Mathare were rewarded in the 15th minute through Olwande's penalty kick after Festus Okiring elbowed Cliff Nyakeya in the box.
Okiring could have drawn level at the half-hour mark, but his attempt from Edwin Wafula's delivery flew over the bar. Masuta also missed another opportunity when he arrived late in the box after a brilliant cross from Luke Namanda.
In Mombasa, Bandari and Postal Rangers drew 0-0 at Mbaraki Sports Club, while Western Stima drew 2-2 at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu.
[Rodgers Eshitemi, Ernest Ndunda and Philip Orwa]
