Western Stima stun Mathare United in Kisumu

Mathare United missed the chance to move to the summit of the Kenyan Premier League after going down 1-0 to hosts Western Stima at Moi Stadium in Kisumu on Saturday.

Youngster Kenneth Muguna curled in a superb free kick in the 56th minute to help Henry Omino’s charges pick all the three points from the 2008 champions.

The first half was a tale of missed opportunities for the hosts who attacked from the onset.

Stima forward Hubert Kopany thought he had finally opened up Mathare United’s defence when he nodded in past goalkeeper Wycliffe Kasaya in the 50th minute only for his effort to be ruled out for offside.

However, Muguna made no mistake in the 56th minute when he curled in his free kick past Kasaya from 20 yards to hand the Powermen the lead after Daniel Mwaura had been penalised for handling the ball just outside the box.

Brian Marita then came in for Kopany in one of the changes by Western Stima while Mathare United coach Francis Kimanzi rested the wasteful Obadiah Ndege for Derrick Onyango.

Omino’s side could have doubled their lead in the 63rd minute but Kevin Okoth’s effort missed the target with Kasaya well beaten.

“Last time we dictated the tempo at Nyayo and ended up drawing 2-2. We are happy with the win because it gives us confidence going forward.” Omino said after the match.

A crest-fallen Kimanzi could not hide his disappointment after the loss that denied his charges chance to go top of the log.

“We played well and our tactics worked to a certain point of the match. We were scrappy in the second half and that cost us heavily,” Said Kimanzi.