Matano relieved as Tusker clinch victory against Mathare

• Tusker beat Mathare United 2-1
• Tusker had won only two games in their last nine
• They now move fifth in the standings

Tusker FC finally bounced back to winning ways after edging out Mathare United 2-1, with coach Robert Matano saying he was relieved to see his side finally winning games. Since the turn of the new year, the brewers had struggled to get results and had only won twice in nine outings to drop out of the top of the table.

But, the victory against the resurgent Mathare saw them climb up the log one spot to fifth.

“of course it was a huge relief because we had stayed for long without winning and now this gives us some huge morale. It also gives us confidence moving forward because in football if you don’t win then your motivation dies down,” coach Matano said after the game.

He added; “We are happy but not excited. This is now behind our backs and we need to focus to win the next matches and move up the standings.”

The brewers came into the match short of confidence while Mathare were on a high, having won back to back matches. It was the brewers who were under pressure, at their backyard in Ruaraka.

Several chances in the first half

Shami Kibwana in action for Tusker FC

They had several first half chances, with Shami Mwinyi’s shot on the right sftare some good passing movement from Tusker on the right greasing the crossbar before the forward had another shot fly inches wide.

A long throw from Daniel Sakari put Ibrahim Joshua through minutes later, the forward striking sweetly on the half volley. The keeper spilled the shot but was lucky enough to react quick before the fast feet of Deogratious Ojok could get to the ball.

On the other end, Mathare’s best chance was off a set piece when Joseph Odhiambo curled the ball beyond the wall, but Patrick Matasi was equal to the task with a clean save.

In the second half, the tempo of the game picked up and just seven minutes after the restart, Tusker broke the deadlock when Ibrahim clipped the ball over the keeper after being sent through by a delightful through ball from Shami.

Mathare strike back

Action between Tusker FC and Mathare United

But, Mathare struck back on the hour mark when Donald Ange slammed the ball home from close range off a cross on the right after the Slum Boys recycled the ball from a poorly defended freekick, with a cross laid in from the right.

The goal ignited some fight in Mathare, and they were pushed on by a good crowd which had come to cheer them on.

But, The brewers, knowing just how much pressure was on their shoulders, pushed to get back into the lead. They did so in the 70th minute when Shami volleyed home from the edge of the box after Daniel Sakari’s long throw was headed in his direction. The Tusker FC players celebrated in dedication to their teammate Lawrence Luvanda who had lost his mum and the burial was on the same day of the match

From then on, Tusker had more chances with Shami curling inches wide from the edge of the box while Eric Zakayo, who had come on as a second half substitute curled the ball just over from the left.

At the stroke of full time, Kevin Monyi also had his chance when he made a daunting run on the right, but his shot greased the top of the bar.