Tyson Otieno brace piles more misery on relegation threatened Mathare United

Mathare United’s chances of escaping relegation in the 2022/2023 Football Kenya Federation Premier League campaign were dealt a further blow on Tuesday evening as they succumbed to a fifth consecutive defeat following their a 1-2 loss against Kariobangi Sharks at Kasarani Annex.

In the Round 27 league clash that witnessed all three goals come from the penalty spot, it is William Muluya’s Sharks who secured the bragging rights in the Slum Derby on top of all the three points after the aesthetically pleasing Tyson Otieno converted the two penalties awarded to his side as Curtis Wekesa scored what proved to be a mere consolation for Mathare.

Prior to the match, Sharks got the boost of having back the services of dependable defender Kevin Luke Otiala for only his second game in 2023.

The 24-year-old center back, who is having his first stint in the top flight, was stretchered out after just 51 minutes in their clash against Kakamega Homeboyz at Bukhungu Stadium back on 4 January after suffering a lateral collateral ligament strain on his left leg.

Sharks were awarded their first penalty on the 23rd minute when neat one touch interchange between the trio of Keith Imbali, Paul Odhiambo and Mathew Kibiwott just outside the box ended up with Mathare’s Fidel Otieno committing a foul in the danger area when he tripped Imbali.

Tyson then extended his season tally to seven goals as he managed to squeeze the ball beneath Zamu Adisa with the opening goal of the game.

That lead would not last for long as Wekesa wiped it out in similar fashion just six minutes later when he found the back of the net from the spot, Mathare benefitting from the rustiness showed by Otiala who brought down Daniel Otieno in the area.

With the two teams having gotten into the break levelled at the break, Sharks managed to restore their lead nine minutes into the second half after centre referee Francina Khamal again pointed to the spot this time Gideon Were adjudged to have handled Tyson’s searching cross into the area.

The former Wazito man stepped up for the second time and beat Adisa once again as he scored the match winning goal to seal all the three points that snapped Kariobangi Sharks four match losing streak.

Starting XI

Mathare United: Adisa Omar (GK), Otieno Fidel, Were Gideon, Kuol John, Okeyo Brian, Ochieng Godfrey, Wekesa Curtis, Omukhulu Meshack, Otieno Daniel, Kimari Steve, Bereto Ronald

Kariobangi Sharks: Kevin Ouru (GK), Luke Kevin, Timothy Ekhavi, Mathew Kibiwott, Geoffrey Onyango, Keith Imbali, Biron Otieno, Tyson Otieno, Leonlevitt Otieno, Fortune Omotto, Paul Okoth