Super sub ‘Van Persie’ scores winner as Mathare slay Sharks in Slum Derby

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 15 – Daniel ‘Van Persie’ Otieno stepped off the bench to score the winning goal for a second consecutive game as Mathare United picked back to back wins for the first time this season with a 2-1 victory over Kariobangi Sharks in the Slum Derby on Wednesday.

Otieno headed home the winner with six minutes left after Mathew Kibiwott had cancelled out Donald Ange’s first half penalty.

The victory sees Mathare scrape off the relegation zone for the first time this season to 16^th with 10 points from 13 matches.

Mathare showed a much improved performance and a spirited fight, despite letting a 1-0 lead spill just two minutes after the restart.

Donald Ange had given them the lead in the 28^th minute from the penalty spot after he had been appended in the box. However, Mathew Kibiwott grabbed the equalizer for the Sharkmen two minutes into the second half.

Mathare got into the lead with Ange’s expertly taken spot kick after he had been axed inside the box by Timothy Imala off a quickly launched counter.

Prior to the goal, there wasn’t much goalward action from both sides with Sharks midfielder Keith Imbali having tested the keeper with two shots from range that flew straight to the custodian’s arms.

With not so much working in their favour, Sharks had to make a change just 33 minutes into the match, Tyson Otieno being hauled off for Paul Okoth.

In the second half, Sharks stepped up and just two minutes on the turn they levelled when Kibiwott raced to a long ball from a quickly started setpiece from deep in their own half before gliding past the keeper and scoring.

Sharks had more chances to get into the lead, Kibiwott missing a sitter from Shariff Musa’s cross on the right before Odhiambo saw his shot blocked on the line.

Mathare keeper Bernard Jairo made a brilliant save in the 78^th minute to pluck away Odhiambo’s glancing header from the edge of the six yard box.

With six minutes left to play, Mathare got their winner when substitute Otieno glanced a header beyond the keeper from Brian Okey’s long throw.

The substitute almost made it a resounding 3-1 in added time with a long range belter, but Sharks keeper Kevin Ouru made a good save.