Kakamega Homeboyz down Mathare United to go second

Title ambitious Kakamega Homeboyz have defeated Mathare United 3-1 in a Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match played on Friday at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.

Peter Thiong'o grabbed a brace and David Odhiambo added the other while John Mwangi grabbed a consolation for the Slum Boys. The win sees Kakamega Homeboyz climb up the log to the second position on a temporary basis, awaiting other matches to be played on Saturday and Sunday.

Kakamega Homeboyz saw two of their earlier chances go to waste as Thiong'o and Moses Mudavadi were not clinical with their final shots, in the 24th and 27th minutes, respectively.

Mathare's first meaningful attempt on goal came in the 36th minute when David Owino attempted a low drive but Gabriel Andika was alert to deal with it.

Thiong'o broke the deadlock in the 45th minute for Homeboyz as he successfully managed to head home a cross which was brought into the box by Stephen Etyang.

Thiong'o earned his brace in the 52nd minute as he punished the hosts who took a long time to settle in the second half. The visitors would have added the third in the 54th minute but Job Ochieng pulled off a magnificent save to deny Etyang.

Mwangi replaced Clifford Alwanga in the 57th minute and managed to score the only goal for the Slum Boys, two minutes after the hour mark.

The 2008 KPL champions had to complete the last 10 minutes of the game with 10 men on the pitch after Roy Okal was red-carded after a second bookable offence. 

Kakamega Homeboyz took advantage of their numerical advantage and scored the third one in the 82nd minute through Odhiambo.

The Kakamega-based side are now second with 20 points, four below leaders Gor Mahia, while Mathare United remain seventh with 17 points.

Mathare United XI: Job Ochieng, Marvin Ongori, Harun Junior, Andrew Juma, David Owino, Roy Okal, Chris Oduor, Kevin Kimani, James Kinyanjui, Daniel Otieno, Clifford Alwanga.

Kakamega Homeboyz XI: Gabriel Andika, Vincent Mahiga, George Odiwour, Ken Onyango, Collins Odhiambo, Moses Mudavadi, Steve Wakanya, Steve Etyang, Peter Thiong'o, Shami Mwinyi, David Odhiambo.