Mathare United edge 10-man Msa Elite to keep hopes of NSL title

Mathare United has moved closer to top of National Super League, just adrift leaders Naivas FC after a hard-fought 2 - 1 win against 10-man Mombasa Elite at Serani Grounds in Mombasa County on Sunday afternoon.

Rajab Hassan opened the scoring for Mombasa Elite before Boaz Maeri and Elias Cheruiyot gave Mathare one each to seal the victory.

Mombasa Elite started on a high, with Augustine Simiyu setting a one-on-one with Mathare goalkeeper Steve Njung’e only to shoot straight to his hands.

Ten minutes into the match, Stephen Okola connected Elli Esieche’s corner kick but his header bounced off the top bar, with the keeper already beaten.

Hassan gave the hosts the opener in the 13th minute, capitalizing on Mathare United’s defensive lapse to drive a low shot past Mathare goalkeeper – and into the net.

Mathare United equalised in the 34th minute through Maeri after rising high and heading to the net from Paul Were 'corner kick.

At the stroke of halftime, Ismael Nyamawi was sent off after a hard tackle on Starion Odhiambo, to pile more pressure on the home side. With reduced workforce, Elite were less efficient and survived several onslaughts.

Just seven minutes to the clock, substitute Cheruiyot connected Daniel Odhiambo’s cross to give Mathare the winner, and were comfortably able to contain the hosts to the end.

Mathare United head coach Jeff Maina was delighted with the win, saying it will boost players morale towards the next match in Nairobi against Kisumu All Stars

"We have created a lot of chances but we did not utilize them well, but we happy were able to get the three points. We are under no pressure as we fight for top position in the NSL and we are taking a match at a time,” he noted.

Patrick Nyale of Elite was visibly crestfallen, saying they will pick the positives and move on.

"Hard luck it is, I can't blame my boys. We had them by the neck through our game plan but we invited them to the position they wanted, they are very dangerous on setpieces and they capitalized," observed Nyale.