Marvin Nabwire was the hero of the day, scoring the winner as  AFC Leopards recovered to beat Mathare United 4-3 in an entertaining match played at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Saturday 10th March.

Cliff Nyakeya also grabbed a brace for the slum boys but he had only Francis Omondi to help as they fell behind late in the rain lashed game and failed to recover.  The slum boys were first to score, and it was Nyakeya who burst into a solo run on the left after intercepting a misplaced back heel which he planted accurately into the net.

Ingwe equalised 11 minutes later through Brian Marita, whose powerful delivery hit the crossbar and bounced downward on the touchline and out of the pitch. The referee rightly allowed the goal to stand much to the delight of the Ingwe fans.  At the half hour mark, Mathare regained the lead. Nyakeya had been felled inside the box and Francis Omondi, who stepped forward to take the resultant penalties, made no mistake in sending goalkeeper Jairus Adira the wrong way as he sent the ball into the bottom right corner.

Ingwe seemed to have benefitted immensely from last weekend’s 2-0 win over Sony Sugar and they responded just eight minutes afterwards. Nyakeya completed his brace in the 35th minute to extend the lead for the slum boys. Reprieve for Ingwe came in the form of captain Duncan Otieno who ghosted into position and sent a thunderbolt screaming into the net from 12 yards out to halve the deficit for the 13-time champions.

Ezekiel Odera, whose inclusion in the match was uncertain, brought Ingwe level in the 69th minute with a good finish that elicited raucous applause from the crowd. Odera, whose mother passed on last week and is on compassionate leave, chested down a cross from Jaffery Owiti and guided it home to record Ingwe’s third of the match.

Ingwe took the lead for the first time in the 77th minute with a spectacular goal from Nabwire, one that is a contender for goal of the season. Nabwire dispatched the ball high from the center, and it hit the net as it curved downwards with Mathare custodian Robert Mboya standing well out of his line.

Kariobangi Sharks 0-0 Sofapaka 

Kariobangi Sharks and Sofapaka shared spoils after recording a barren draw in Machakos.

Chances were few and spread apart during the match, and Sharks coach William Muluya admitted that he and his helpers would probe their team’s performance in the course of the week.

“The game was very slow today and it is upon us to find out what happened. We also didn’t convert the few chances that we had so I can’t say much about this match. It wasn’t our day,” Muluya said. 

Kakamega Homeboyz 0-1 Ulinzi Stars

In another match played at the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega, visitors Ulinzi Stars grabbed three crucial points by edging out Kakamega Homeboyz. Masita Masuta scored his third goal of the season to ensure the soldiers emerge winners.

Tusker FC 0-0 Thika United

Tusker FC and Thika United played to a barren draw in an entertaining match played at the Ruaraka Stadium in Nairobi.

Tusker FC could have taken the lead at the quarter hour mark but Thika United custodian Allan Owiny did well to deny Hashim Sempala who had sent in a hard shot from just outside the box. The keeper did well again at the half hour mark, parrying away Timothy Otieno’s volley.

Youngster Byrne Omondi, who was standing in for Duncan Ochieng for Tusker showed maturity in organizing his defense and easily collected Benson Iregi’s hard shot in the 35th minute.

Tusker brought in Boniface Muchiri for Robert Achema at the hours’ mark and few minutes later introduced Mathew Tayo for Jackson Macharia. Thika introduced Peter Okoth for the jaded Benson Irego as both teams continued to push for the opening goal. Tusker seemed more dangerous after the changes and they missed two clear chances that could have changed the tide of the game. Tayo beat the onrushing Owiny in the 72nd minute and crossed the ball into the box but there was no Tusker player in sight for a simple tap in into an empty net. Five minutes later Tayo made another good run on the right and crossed in beautifully to Muchiri who however blasted inches wide.

Thika missed a good opportunity in the last kick of the match, James Kinyanjui, who had come in for Saad Musa, blasting wide with the goalpost at his mercy after a good cut back pass from Dennis Lewa.

“We failed to utilize our chances otherwise we would have had three points. The chances we created should have been converted into goals, when they (strikers) do that then we will be in the right direction.” – Sam Timbe, Tusker FC coach

“It wasn’t an easy game and I am happy we managed to come out with at least a point. My strikers need to be clinical in front of goal. My defenders did well and that was very important for the game today. We will go back to the drawing board and work on our finishing, especially from set pieces – we had several that I feel should have changed the outcome of the game. We haven’t had a win so far but I believe we are improving and it’s just a matter of time before we get it.” – Nicholas Muyoti, Thika United coach

Other results

Posta Rangers 0-0 Wazito FC

Zoo FC 0-0 Vihiga United