NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 20- A first half brace from Whyvonne Isuza and a second half solo effort from Harrison Mwenda gave Mathare United a 3-1 win over Ushuru at the Nyayo National Stadium, compounding the tax men’s relegation woes.
The loss sees Ken Kenyatta’s men remain 14th on the Kenyan Premier league standings and if Sofapaka win on Sunday afternoon against Posta Rangers, the gap between them and relegation will be a mere four points.
Mathare put off a five match-winless streak last week with a scrappy 1-0 win over City Stars and they continued in the same form with an emphatic performance against Ushuru.
Francis Kimanzi made only two changes to hid team, Mwendwa earning his first start of the season at the expense of Derick Onyango while Dennis Orenge started at left back in place of the injured David Mwangi.
Ushuru’s Kenyatta made resounding changes into his team, keeper Shabaan Odhoji being put on the bench for Barnabas Tiema while Maurice Odipo started at right back at the expense of Jackson Onjala, Evans Kiwanuka coming into midfield.
But just eight minutes into the match, the tax men found themselves one down when Isuza had the slightest of touches to a Robinson Kamura freekick from the right, beating Tiema from close range.
It was a good gift to Mathare who had started the match more positive and looked more comfortable and under less pressure.
But Ushuru drew level after 24 minutes, Rosevelt Blaty with a cool finish from a tight angle after doing well to control a long ball from deep in his own half to skip past Orenge and George Owino to score.
On the opposite end, Mathare almost drew level on a swift counter with Mwaura seeing his shot coming off the outside of the post.
Isuza should have completed his brace on the half hour mark but he arrived few seconds late after being sighted by Chris Onyango inside the box.
He didn’t have to wait long though as seven minutes from time, he had another simple finish, tapping the ball home after Tiema failed to hold on to a cross from Daniel Mwaura on the right.
Ushuru should have finished the half level again but Dennis Wafula’s attempt to loop the ball over Robert Mboya was futile after doing well to power past Kamura who mistimed a bouncing ball.
At the start of the second half Wafula had a chance again, but this time his tap from a Philemon Otieno low cross went against the upright with Mboya beaten hands down.
On the hour mark, Mathare put the game to bed with Mwendwa capping his start with a superb solo effort, racing from deep his own half, drifting to the right and unleashing a low cross that went into the bottom right of Tiema’s goal.
Five minutes later, Kamura who had all afternoon posed danger with his deliveries from set pieces came close with a goal of his own, but his free kick from 25 yards out sailed inches over the bar.
Ken Kenyatta stood pensive at the touchline, wondering where the rain started beating him and his side as they stared at a fifth consecutive loss.
He stared at the bench and summoned Oscar Mbugua and Aziz Okaka to come in for Blaty and Herritier Luvualu.
But despite the attacking changes, Ushuru posed no danger to Mathare, their body language all but deceiving they were giving a fight.
Mathare enjoyed themselves in the sunset days of the match, Kimanzi pulling out goalscorers Mwendwa and Isuza for Alphonce Ndonye and youngster Cliff Nyakeya.