KCB beats Mathare United to move four points clear on top of the KPL

Derrick Otanga scored from the penalty spot in the 58^th minute as KCB continued with their perfect run to beat Mathare United 1-0 at Ruaraka on Saturday, storming to four points clear on top of the Kenyan Premier League standings.

While the victory boosts KCB’s title credentials, Mathare United continued with their poor run and are still rooted in the relegation zone following the loss. They have just eight points from 19 matches.

“It is tough yes, but we cannot give up hope. We have to continue working hard. It is encouraging to see how well we are playing but then again we need to start getting goals. We need to score and that is what is letting us down,” said coach Frank Ouna.

It was a stack difference in emotion for KCB as they enjoyed another victory that puts them at arms length away from Tusker FC.

KCB’s Derrick Otanga wheels away from Mathare United defender Lennox Ogutu

“We are taking a game at a time and giving our all. We just need to keep winning and we don’t want to put pressure on ourselves,” said Otanga, scorer of KCB’s lone goal.

The bankers were more dominant and had the best chances of the game. In the 16^th minute, Otanga had a sniff at goal when he took a first time shot on his left foot from the edge of the box, but it flew just wide.

The bankers came close with another chance again when Brian Ochieng’s shot from the edge of the box came off the post.

On the other end, Mathare had a chance in the 22^nd minute when Norman Ogola swung in an inviting cross from the left, but skipper Chris Oduor clipped his header just over the bar.

KCB had a golden chance in the 33^rd minute when a quickly taken freekick saw David Owino chip the ball behind the defense with Otanga collecting, but his lob over the keeper went just wide.

KCB’s David Owino and Mathare United’s Khaleed Jumaan vie for the ball

In the second half, the bankers were determined to get an early goal and they were gifted with a penalty in the 58^th minute when Lennox Ogutu brought down Baraka Badi with a needless challenge. Otanga stepped up, sent the keeper the wrong way and gave the bankers the lead.

Victor Omondi came close to making it two four minutes later, but his long range grass cutter was well saved by Job Ochieng in the Mathare goal.

Mathare boss Ouna made attacking changes to his team, John Mwangi and Daniel Otieno all coming on to spruce up the attacking play. They were better moving forward and forced KCB to defend deep. They came close when a neat change of passes between Otieno, Khaleed Juman and Tyson Otieno saw Jumaan break into the box, but his eventual shot was wide.

KCB’s David Simiyu wheels away from Mathare United’s Khaleed Jumaan during their Kenyan Premier League match at Ruaraka Complex

Ogola had a go at goal with a curling freekick in the 80^th minute, but his well taken effort went just wide. The Slum Boys dug in for a fight, but they couldn’t get the ball into the net.

Meanwhile in the early kick off, Nairobi City Stars continued with their impressive run in the league with a 1-0 win over Kakamega Homeboyz. Nicholas Kipkurui scored the solo goal for City Stars as they moved to sixth in the standings following a fourth consecutive victory.