- Kakamega Homeboyz have opened a nine-point gap on top
- Mathare are still rooted at the bottom of the table
- Nzoia also drew to boost survival hopes
There were vital results on either end of the FKF Premier League standings with Mathare United picking a vital point at the bottom while on top, Kakamega Homeboyz stretched their lead on top to nine points.
Leaders Homeboyz continued with their winning run, beating Vihiga Bullets 1-0 at the Bukhungu Stadium to move to 46 points on top of the standings. Yema Guelord Mwamba scored the lone goal for Homeboyz to hand them a massive three points in their title hunt.
With 13 rounds of matches to go, Homeboyz are looking the part in terms of fighting for their first ever league title.
The loss by Bullets hands Mathare United a chance to get out of the drop zone, the Slum Boys having played out a 1-1 draw with Mathare United at the Kasarani Annex.
Substitute Eugene Wethuli scored the equalizer with seven minutes left for the Slum Boys to scrap a point off the game after Alphonce Omija had given Sharks the lead.
Harun Thomas of Mathare United heads the ball away from felix Oluoch of Kariobangi Sharks
“We played well and I am proud of the boys. They showed character, something that was lacking when I came in. I believe that with 13 matches to go, we are in the running to avoid relegation. I have a short term contract at the club and I would be proud if I left, having helped them out of relegation,” said John Kamau, the Mathare tactician.
The point took Mathare to 11 points, bottom of the log, one behind Bullets but a whooping nine away from safety.
“We just need to keep working and hopefully something works well for us,” said the tactician.
Mathare showed a much improved performance and had their first knock at goal after 18 minutes when Daniel Otieno stood behind a freekick after skipper Chris Oduor was fouled inside the box, but his curling effort went over.
Meshack Muyonga lifted his head and sighted the Mathare keeper a yard off his line in the 28th minute and he went for a low shot, which was turned behind for a corner by the retreating custodian.
Sharks’ first effort at goal was in the 34th minute when Fortune Omotto struck a shot from distance after some good link up play, but the effort sailed wide. Douglas Mokaya also tried his luck from distance, but the effort sailed wide as well.
Mathare United’s Kennedy Ochieng vies for the ball with Felix Ochieng of Kariobangi Sharks
The second half also bore the same script and Mathare knocked the door again as early as fifth minute again off another Otieno freekick. This time, he struck his effort superbly but the effort came off the frame of goal.
Mathare however cracked minutes later when the backline went to sleep off a corner, allowing Omija to head in unmarked from a Mokaya corner.
But Mathare were relentless in their fight and were determined to scrap even a point from the Slum Derby.
They were finally rewarded with seven minutes to play when substitute Eugene Wethuli deflected a long range shot from Nderitu, throwing keeper Obiero off balance.
Martin Nderitu of Mathare United attempts to pass the ball under pressure from Fredrick Alushula of Kariobangi Sharks
Sharks should have nicked a point off the tie at the death when a quick interchange of passes in midfield released Fredrick Alushula on the right. The wingback cut in a cross for Felix Oluoch but the club top scorer failed to hit the target unmarked at the backpost.
In the early kick off, Bandari FC pit off a nine match winless streak to beat FC Talanta 2-0. Goals in either half from Umaru Kasumba and skipper Felly Mulumba handed the dockers three vital points and a huge reprieve to new coach Anthony Kimani.
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