Mathare United 0-0 Bandari: 'Slum Boys' blow away chance to catch Gor Mahia

Visiting Bandari forced Mathare United to a third straight draw after both sides settled for a 0-0 score line on Saturday.

Bandari, who have lost only one match on the road this season, continued with their fine away form after they picked a point against a wasteful Mathare United.

Mathare United were plain wasteful. The ‘Slum Boys’ could have scored at least three goals in the first half, alone, but Clifford Alwanga, Crispin Ochieng and Cliff Nyakeya proved blunt as Bandari held their nerves to force a point, a result that, to a big extent will be attributed to goalkeeper Farouk Shikhalo.

Mathare United had dropped two points after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Kariobangi Sharks last time out. Ochieng was denied by Shikhalo, who proved the difference between the two sides in the highly entertaining match.

The former Posta Rangers custodian had denied Mathare United early in the first half when he picked a Clifford Alwanga shot right inside the box after the ‘Slum Boy’s tore Bandiri’s defence with defensive splitting passes but Shikalo was at the right place to pick the ball.

Michael Luvutsi‘s 50th minute attempt went off the target after Bandari made a first serious attempt as the Dockers tried to retaliate Mathare’s attacks.

Hassan Abdalla worked over time after Cliff Nyakeya rounded off Faruk only for Abdalla to make a full stretch with his clearance header in the 53rd minute.

Shikhalo made another important save to deny a forest of yellow stockings eagerly waiting for a simple tap-in. Bandari survived a moment of scare from a Mathare free kick in the 65th minute but the post made a good defending for the visitors with everyone in Bandari’s defence well beaten by the low shot.

Alwanga was once again let down by the poor finishing when he directed a free header way off the mark after he was picked by Nyakeya in the 74th minute.

Mathare United XI: 1. Robert Mboya (GK) 16. David Owino 20. Martin Ongori 25. Samuel Olwande 19. Johnstone Omurwa 5. Francis Omondi 4. Edward Seda (10. Ahmed Ahmad) 29. Chrispin Oduor 11. Cliff Nyakeya 9. Chris Ochieng’ 21. Clifford Alwanga.

Subs: 30. Job Ochieng’ (GK) 28. Gilbert Osonga 22. Roy Okal 8. Alphonce Ndonye 15. Ronald Reagan 13.John Mwangi.

Bandari XI: Farukh Shikhalo, Nicholas Meja, Felly Mulumba, Hassan Iddi, Michael Luvutsi, Collins Agade, Hassan Abdalla, John Avire ( Dan Guya), David Kinga'tua (Dennis Magige), Mohamed Siraj (William Wadri).

Subs: Joseph Okoth, Bernard Odhiambo, Wilberforce Lugogo, Shaban Kenga.