NAIROBI, October 4 – Mathare United bounced back to the top position of the Kenya premier league after labouring to a 1-1 draw for the subsequent 90 minutes with Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.
KCB’s attacking midfielder scored from long range in the 14th minute while Mathare’s defender Edgar Ochieng equalised with a simple tap in from a well taken corner in the 56th minute.
Yusuf Chippo will be happy to share the spoils with the leaders after going up to three matches without a win.
The hawk-eyed Pascal Ochieng keep off the Mathare front line, while custodian Victor Omondi was kept busy for the rest of the evening, making good saves.
Sony Sugar, who had built from their 2-0 win over World Hope last week, retook the leadership by a point following their identical 2-0 victory over hard tackling Thika United, in a lunch time fixture played at the same venue.
Midfielder David Otieno put Francis Baraza’s side ahead with a diving header in the 38th minute before Dennis Onnkangi added the second in the 68th minute.
Thika United missed opportunities early in the first half in a game officiated by Richard Obari.
Despite having no breathing space and recovering top spot, United have now collected four points from two live broadcast matches, a week after demolishing coastal side, Bandari 4-1.
The match played at the neutral ground, saw the sugar millers stamp authority over their title challengers in a game played in the rain.
Juma Abdallah’s team unveiled a new playing kit made by one of Italy’s leading apparel manufacturers (Legea),in time for the crucial kick off against the Awendo based side.
In other matches played Saturday, World Hope lost 1-0 to Ulinzi Stars at Greensteads in Nakuru, while Sher Karuturi began a new life without Coach James Nandwa after thumping basement team Mathare Youth 1-0 in Naivasha.
On Sunday, new Tusker Coach James Nandwa, recruited from Sher Karuturi this week, face fifth place Agro Chemicals in one of the matches to be televised by Supersport at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Agro Chemicals, who are four points clear over the CECAFA champions, will not be pushovers after collecting four points in their previous outings.
Inform Tusker will build from their 3-1 win over Mathare Youth but the tie could go either way after the Muhoroni based team lost 1-0 in the first leg to the Brewers
Nandwa, taking over from Jacob “Ghost” Mulee, will be seeking to register his first win for the brewers in a lunch time fixture against Henry Omino’s side who lost 1-0 to Ulinzi Stars in Muhoroni.
Troubled Mahakama, in relegation zone, host ninth place Chemilil Sugar at the same venue for a late fixture set to go live on Supersport.
Both teams were held to goalless draws last weekend with Mahakama away to Red Berets at Greensteads, while KCB ensured that they shared points after wasteful Chemilil were not on goal at their backyard.
Relegation-threatened teams’ battle it out for league survival with 12th place Gor Mahia taking on 15th place Red Berets at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, while Western Stima visit home side Bandari at Mombasa City Stadium.
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