Waruru fires Sofapaka past Vihiga, Sharks hold Mathare

Eugene Mukangula's header proved the difference as Thika United beat Wazito 1-0 in their Kenyan Premier League match on Sunday at the Camp Toyoyo grounds.

The slum derby pitting Mathare United against Kariobangi Sharks ended in a one-all stalemate at the same venue as Nakumatt shocked hosts Zoo Kericho 3-2 at the Kericho Green Stadium.

In Mumias, Vihiga United were felled by a Stephen Waruru header on 41 minutes as they suffered a 1-0 loss to Sofapaka in the other match of the day.

After the match, Vihiga coach Edward Manoah blamed the officials.

“We were denied several scoring chances due to questionable decisions made by the referee,” he said.

Sofapaka coach John Baraza said: “The boys played well. We shall remain focused as we head into our next fixtures.”

Thika United had succumbed to a 3-0 loss to Nzoia United in their previous match, and needed victory badly as the race for survival takes shape.

Mukangula netted in the 87th minute after being set up by a Shami Kibwana cross to ensure his team clinched maximum points from the match.

Kibwana led the Thika attack with assistance from Hansel Ochieng, as captain Dennis Odhiambo and Collins Okumu stood firm at the heart of defence.

Goalkeeper Allan Owiny made the bench after missing last weekend's loss against when he attended family engagements in his native Uganda.

To protect their position within the top 10, Wazito needed three points in this match, and coach Frank Ouna opted to start with the pacy Pistone Mutamba and Joachim Omolo in attack.

Mukangula almost opened the scoring in the 19th minute, but his feeble shot was no trouble for Philip Odhiambo who calmly collected it.

Wazito's Ivorian defender Emmanuel Tienan had his chance in the 36th minute when he found himself unmarked in front of goal, but he misdirected the header and squandered another precious chance for the debutants.

It was however a series of missed chances from either side that resulted in a goalless first half.

As the second half progressed, the league debutants became a lot more aggressive, and Thika custodian Eliud Emase was forced to make a quick save in the 63rd minute to block Mutamba's cross.

MUKANGULA'S MISS

Mukangula was at it again in the 75th minute when he evaded four defenders on his way home and dispatched a low shot, but this was finger tipped out of danger by Odhiambo for a fruitless corner.

In the other match at the same venue, Patilla Omotto struck in the 54th minute to cancel out an earlier goal from Mathare's Clifford Alwanga.

Alwanga, a former Tusker forward, got into the score sheets in the 20th minute as he directed a header home off a cross from Martin Ongori.

Omotto then saved Sharks the blushes nine minutes after the breather when he connected well to a pass from Bolton Omwenga and buried it past goalkeeper Mboya.

Mathare coach Francis Kimanzi started with the trio of Clifford Alwanga, John Mwangi and Cliff Nyakeya in attack as Francis Omondi, Edward Seda and Chrispin Odour manned the midfield.

Sharks looked hungrier for a win especially in the first half, with former Mathare man Harrison Mwendwa almost giving Sharks the lead in the 10th minute but he fired over the bar. He hit the side netting two minutes later having connected to a Kapaito cross.