Slum boys CAGE ingwe: Mathare United stun AFC as Thika and Sofapaka draw

BY STANDARD TEAM

Sofapaka and Thika United players in action. [PHOTOS: JONAH ONYANGO / STANDARD]

Hussein Zzinda is the first Mathare United striker to score for the club this season and it was a precious goal that gave them maximum points against AFC Leopards at Nyayo Stadium yesterday.

It is also the third goal for United this season with defenders Noah Abich and David Mwangi having scored the other two previously.

Zzinda picked his spot well after being fed by Roy Syamba and with swinging volley he put the ball behind Martin Musalia in goal.

AFC started strongly and Nigerian striker Austine Ikenna blasted wide as he attempted to put his side ahead.

In the third minute, Roy Syamba attempted a long range effort which went wide as United  created their own chances.

Two chances by  Jacob Keli should have put Leopards ahead. First, he found himself inside the United defence but his attempt to shoot at goal was inhibited by being in a tight angle.

Two minutes later, Keli found himself in a better position to score but he opted to pass the ball to Khalid Jumaan when going for goal would have been a better option for the Ingwe.

In an earlier match, Thika United and Sofapaka shared the spoils after a barren draw at the same venue.

After a goalless first half, Sofapaka came out with more determination searching for an opener but man of the match Hamza Muwonge produced a string of saves to keep the hosts in the game.

Just two minutes after restart, Humphrey Mieno could have put Batoto Ba Mungu ahead but his header was punched out by Muwonge into a fruitless corner.

In the 55th minute, David King’atua forced a fine save from Sofapaka custodian David Okello after a brilliant pass from Moses Arita at the edge of the box.

Both coaches made changes with John Kamau bringing in Michael Olunga, Tonny Kizito and John Nairuka for Mwinyi Kibwana, Sammy Meja and Arita, while Elly Asieche and Antony Kimani came in on the Sofapaka side.

John Baraza had a one on one situation chance with Muwonge in the 63rd minute but he was denied by the keeper.

Five minutes later, Danson Kago saw his shot in the area blocked by Liberian defender Dirkir Glay before Asieche’s long range effort hit the post.

Batoto Ba Mungu continued piling pressure and could have broken the deadlock in the 79th minute, but Dirkir rescued Thika with a fantastic goal line clearance from Kago’s attempt.

Despite the draw, Thika coach John Kamau said he’s impressed with his boy’.

“I am happy with the mentality of the boys. We are just coming from a big game (Gor Mahia) but I think the boys gave their best.” — Reporting by Gilbert Wandera and Rodgers Eshitemi

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