NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – Tusker FC and Mathare United both earned a point after a barren draw at Nyayo National Stadium on Tuesday night. It was the slum boys ninth draw of the season while maintaining the tag of the only unbeaten side this season while Tusker continue to pull away at the top of the Kenya Premier League (KPL) standings.
Mathare midfielder Jacob Kelly came close to scoring for his side on several occasions while Tusker striker Dennis Mukaisi was Mathare’s tormentor in chief with telling shots on goal.
“We knew it was going to be a tough match. It became even tougher when one of our players (Kelvin Omondi) was sent off but we did our best to stand our ground,” said Mathare captain Anthony Kimani.
Brewers skipper Noah Abich said that his side had to dig deep to keep their lively opponents at bay.
“We really hard to work hard to contain them but they were the better side,” said Abich who made some crucial tackles in the match.
Mukaisi had a chance to put his team ahead in the 13th minute when he gathered a square ball from Collins Kisuya but his effort whistled past the upright.
Ten minutes later, Kelly in acres of space tore down the far touchline and decided to launch a long range shot only for it to go over the bar.
James Nandwa’s side continued to attack the Mathare goal with Mukaisi again almost giving his team a half time lead.
Joseph Emeka who made a nuisance of himself on the wing delivered a cross in to the Mathare penalty area to be collcted by Ali Abondo who teed up the Mukaisi but the striker’s volley was blocked by Duncan Ochieng.
The Nigerian import was the next Tusker player to rue a missed opportunity when he failed to connect with a header from Joseph Shikokoti.
Kelly and substitute Innocent Mutiso came close to delivering the goods for Mathare in the last throes of the match but their efforts came to naught.
