Wednesday 15 August 2012

Kenya Premier League Tusker beaten by Mathare United

By Fred Maingi in Nairobi

Mathare United stunned defending Kenya Premier League (KPL) Tusker
with a late 1-0 win in a mid-week tie staged before a partisan crowd
at the Nyayo National Stadium.
   
 Andrew Tololwa netted the all-important goal on 66th minute
. Kevin Omondi brought in a nice cross that found Jesse Were lurking in
the danger zone before setting up Tololwa who tucked the ball home
past Tusker custodian Boniface Oluoch.
   
 Mathare could have won convincingly had they exploited numerous
chances especially in the second half with the biggest culprit being
Dennis Nzomo, Omondi, Were and Tololwa.
   
Nzomo came close to giving Mathare the match opener in the 27th
minute but his powerful header hit the crossbar from a thrilling cross
from Elvis Nandwa.
     
Tusker responded swiftly six minutes later with Luke Ochieng free
kick that slipped from Mathare custodian Martin Musalia’s hands before
tricking few inches out of target.
   
 The Bottlers who played without their long serving team Manager
Neville Pudo who is said to have been relieved of his duties went
close yet again in the 50th minute when speedy Dennis Mukaisi broke
through but his rasping shot with only Mathare custodian to beat went
few inches wide.
   
  On the other end, Mathare’s Were long range shot in the 90th
minute went off target when scoring looked the obvious outcome after
Tusker Keeper (Boniface Oluoch) left his goal unattended.
   
Earlier in the 75th minute, Tololwa failed to tap in a sumptuous
cross from Nzomo with only a yawning net smiling at him.
   
Tusker coach admitted the loss has dented his side a major blow
adding that he was feeling the pressure after losing his second
consecutive match.

 ‘We are always good in set pieces but this evening it was
lukewarm. Everything did not work for us. The absence of Joseph
Shikokoti who pulled a muscle during training, Joseph Mbugi, Chrispin
Olando and Charles Odete who are down with injuries affected our
coordination.’ Observed Omollo during a post match interview.
   
 “ Early this season, added Omollo, we lost Brian Mandela, Paul
Were and recently Jerry Santos. Losing such quality players has cost
us a lot. We have to build on our confidence. If we work a bit harder,
we shall get good results. What I need is to work on finishing. Playing
three matches without scoring is not good for us”
   
  His Mathare United counterpart Stanley Okumbi was all smiles
after the final whistle. ‘I’m happy with the win but we are not going
to rest. The win has motivated us and we hope we shall maintain that
winning spirit when we face Muhoroni Youth this

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