Makwata marks Mathare United debut with goal to haunt former club in Friday action
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 16.01.26. | 18:09
The 30-year-old joined this week from Bandari to cure John Kamau's struggles infront of goal
John Mark Makwata returned to haunt his former side as his penalty in the first half sealed Mathare United’s 1-0 victory over Ulinzi Stars at Kasarani Annex on Friday, 16 January.
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Makwata, who was making his debut for the Slum Boys having crossed over from Bandari this week, drew a foul inside the box in the 35th minute, before sending Timothy Odhiambo in the wrong direction to condemn his former side to their eighth defeat of the season.
The 30-year-old played for Ulinzi Stars a decade ago, but his strike here was effective for John Kamau’s side as they got a taste of what to expect from the marksman, who was brought in to cure Mathare’s travails in front of goal.
The win for Mathare was their first in 2026, and took them 11th on the log with 21 points.
Ulinzi, on the other hand, extended their winless run to the new year, remaining three points above the relegation zone in 14th place.
Match Report
In a week which Mathare United pulled off a major coup in getting ahead of Nairobi United, KCB and Kariobangi Sharks to land Makwata, there was an air of expectation about what the striker would go and achieve.
Kamau, as he had hinted in his pre-match interview, handed the former ZESCO man his debut, and he, alongside the Mathare United faithful, will have been delighted with what they saw.
As if written in the stars, Makwata was the first man to threaten a lead for the Slum Boys in the third minute, but saw his shot rise over Odhiambo’s bar.
Kevin Ouru, on the other end, nearly made a mess of the decent start for the hosts when he tried to dribble out of his box, and was lucky that the returning Paul Okoth was not quick enough in punishing him.
Another new Mathare signing - Mike Oduor - was enjoying his day out in the sun, and on two occasions troubled Odhiambo.
©Gad IsaacThe former Tusker man in the 13th minute curled a free-kick straight into the Ulinzi keeper, before forcing a defender to head over his corner that seemed to be dropping in goal.
Perhaps not being on the receiving end of many deliveries, Makwata was kept a tad quiet in the first half-hour, but found a way to spring into life when a pass from Oduor got to his feet inside the box.
©Gad IsaacMakwata, a man full of experience, tried to spin inside the area, attracting a slight nudge from Bonventure Muchika, which referee Josephine Wanjiku adjudged to be a penalty.
Almost needing no invitation, Makwata took hold of the ball, sending Odhiambo in the opposite direction to give his side the lead, all while shushing someone in his celebration.
By that time, gutted Ulinzi had gone close a couple of times through Staphod Odhiambo and youth graduate Joseph Nyale, only for Ouru to push their efforts away.
Ulinzi coach Stephen Ocholla looked to have hit the right buttons when he introduced Edward Odhiambo from the bench at the start of the second half, but the substitute spurned a brilliant opening created by Boniface Muchiri.
Bildad Abonga also tried his luck from range in the 56th minute, but hit wide.
Ulinzi’s efforts kept coming for much of the second half, but Okoth, who had been the subject of transfer speculation this month, shot straight at Ouru, before Brian Birgen stretched the Mathare keeper to tip over his looping attempt down the left.
©Gad IsaacA scuffle ensued between both sets of players with little under 10 minutes left, but that did not knock the rhythm off Mathare United, who could have squeezed in a second had Dennis Okoth not directed his tame effort to the foot of the post.
Minutes before that, Ouru had again come up big to ward off a freekick from Muchiri, at which point it was easy to see why Ulinzi are where they are at the table.
For Mathare, a good way to kick off things after a busy time in the market.
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