Stima hold Mathare as Leopards, Rangers draw

Mathare United squandered a glorious chance to reclaim the leadership of the Kenyan Premier League table after they were forced to rally from behind to settle for a two-all-draw against Western Stima in an absorbing contest played under chilly conditions at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.

Wasteful Posta Rangers will also rue missed chances after settling for a scoreless draw against AFC Leopards at the same venue. In Thika, hosts Thika United and Ulinzi Stars fought to a 1-1 draw. Substitute Enos Ochieng fired the soldiers to a 54th minute lead but Salim Mzee restored parity for Thika in the 67th minute.

At Nyayo, a mistake by Stima goalkeeper Gabriel Andika cost the team what would have been a famous win over the title-chasing Mathare.

The outcome saw the “Slum Boys” remain second on 23 points, one behind leaders Tusker while Posta Rangers who drew 0-0 with Leopards dislodged Gor Mahia from the third slot on 21 points.

MISSED CHANCES

It was a tale of missed chances for both sides. Joseph Nyagah rattled Leopards’s post from close range, while Joackins Atudo’s rasping free-kick drive was handled well Ingwe goalie,  Lucas Indeche.

On the other end of the pitch, Kepha Aswani also hit the post while Simon Abuko came close.

Meanwhile, Mathare’s Eric Johanna scored late in the match to rescue a point for his team. With the match in stoppage time, the reigning Midfielder of the Year sprinted forward and released a measured shot towards goal which Andika spilled and the lurking Daniel Mwaura had the simplest of tasks heading in.

This was a match that Stima could have easily won. From a stormy start, the visitors duly went ahead with a beautiful goal in the seventh minute when the exciting Baron Oketch broke loose down the left wing and rounded the on-rushing Mathare keeper Peter Odhiambo before rolling the ball to the bottom left corner from a tight angle.