Shabana strike late to beat Mathare, go level on points with AFC Leopards

Shabana captain George Onyango came to the rescue of his team with a last minute header to secure a 1-0 win over Mathare United in a match played at the Nyayo National Stadium.

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Ahead of the match, Shabana were third on the log with 37 points, nine behind league leaders Gor Mahia and three shy of second placed AFC Leopards.

Mathare on the other hand were 11th on the log with 24 points and therefore determined to secure a home win to move up the table.

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The match started at a rather slow note, both teams struggling to retain possession, but lost it through missed passes.

Shabana showed their intent of attacking through the flanks as Keith Imbali and Biron Otieno played short passes midfield before switching play to the blind sides.

The Glamour Boys had a chance to open the scores in the fifth minute when Kevin Ouru mistimed a pass but was quick enough to make amends and salvage the situation before damage was done.

Mathare United had their first chance in the 15th minute when Paul Kinyanjui picked a loose ball outside the box, unleashed a shot, but it was blocked by the Shabana defense.

Shabana had another chance to break the deadlock in the 22nd minute when James Mazembe on the overlap dribbled inside the box, brought in a cross, but Brian Olega was not quick enough to react to it as the chance went begging.

The flurry of chances continued three minutes later, this time Mathare’s Michael Oduor picking a ball outside the box and attempting a mid range shot, which unfortunately missed the target.

The Slum Boys started to have more control of the ball past the 25th minute with Musa Masika and Brian Ochieng controlling proceedings in midfield.

Frustrated by the state of affairs, Shabana were attempting long range shots from the final third, notably in the 37th minute through captain George Onyango and Papa Diallo, all of which went over the bar.

The biggest chance of the half came in the 45th minute when Imbali with a ball outside the box, powerfully pulled the trigger, forcing Ouru to make a brilliant save back to play which he also quickly reacted to as Michira rushed to pick the pieces with the half time whistle blowing shortly thereafter.

The two teams returned to the second half with more urgency in search of a goal by launching direct attacks.

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Shabana had a major chance in the 50th minute when Olega picked a ball in the box after an Ian Omondi poor clearance and with the goalkeeper to beat, he went for power instead of technique with his shot going over the bar.

Mathare had their fair a minute later when from the right edge of the box, Oduor took a shot but it was deflected for a corner which Masika took but Ouru’s attempt was well collected by Stephen Ochieng in the Shabana goal.

Shabana wasted yet another chance in the 55th minute when Biron found Michira who made an excellent run inside the box, but the Harambee Stars winger took long to pull the trigger with the chance lost.

In a bid to find a goal, Mathare made a double change in the 63rd minute, bringing in Isaac Omweri and Douglas Mokaya for Masika and Kinyanjui.

Omweri had an immediate impact as two minutes later, he forced Stephen into an excellent save when he directed his shot from the edge of the box on target.

The Glamour Boys reacted to Mathare’s changes by introducing Bronson Nsuguba and Assis Mwambote for Olega and Diallo.

With the clock ticking past the 80th minute, both sides were desperately pushing for what would seemingly be a winner nut none found it by the 90th minute.

With the full time whistle awaiting, captain Onyango rose high to head home a Bronsson Nsubuga cross and grab a win for his team and send the stadium into a frenzy in what was the last action of the day.

With the result, Shabana moved to 40 points, same as Leopards, but remained third due to an inferior goal difference, while Mathare remained 11th with 26 points.

Shabana Starting XI: Stephen Ochieng, Brian Bett, James Mazembe, Wycliffe Omondi, George Onyango, Biron Otieno, Keith Imbali, Kevin Omundi, Brian Olega, Brian Michira, Papa Diallo.

Mathare United Starting XI: Kevin Ouru, Sammy Imbuye, Ian Omondi, Francis Kayugi, Benson Shikutwa, Brian Ouru, Brian Ochieng, Michael Oduor, Musa Masika, Paul Kinyanjui, Dennis Okoth.