By Elvis Mukhwana
Nzoia sugar FC beat Mathare united 3-0 in a thrilling FKF Premier league match played at Sudi stadium on Sunday afternoon.
James Kibande scored the opener in the 23rd minute of the game, his third goal in 5 matches since returning from Police FC, after being set up by Joseph Mwangi.
The lead cut Gor Mahia’s lead at the top to 5 points inside 25 minutes. The millers could have wrapped up the game in the first half but failed to capitalize on open chances and defensive blunders by Mathare’s backline in the early minutes of the match. Yassin Sije missed a scoring opportunity, failing to beat Mathare’s keeper one on one in the 2nd minute of the game. Mwangi would also end up sending his shot wide off target in the 16th minute from close range.
Nzoia upped the ante in the second half, picking up from where they left. Mwangi doubled the lead in the 66th minute of the game from another well worked move after being teed up by Hassan Beja. The ball was worked out wide to Beja who looked up to see Mwangi peeling away at the far post. The cross was inch-perfect, as Mwangi had an easy time doubling the lead.
Even in their recent poor run, Mathare have rarely been so outclassed. Nzoia sugar were outstanding, their range of passing and intelligence in the midfield and upfront troubling Mathare United’s backline with most of the time their shot stopper being forced to come out of the goal and clear the ball
Mathare’s only chance of pulling one back came in the 82nd minute of the game, with Fidel Otieno delivering a brilliant in-swinging cross that hit the cross bar with Katasi well beaten, after making a run down Nzoia sugar’s right flank outpacing Maliachi.
Nzoia Sugar, undeterred, simply went about their work. In the last minute of the game, Barissa teed up Tanui who went on a determined run down Mathare’s left flunk and beat the keeper with his left foot at the near post, ending the match in spectacular fashion.
The loss stretches Mathare’s winless streak to three back to back games, while Nzoia Sugar pick their second win in a row. The win ensures that Nzoia sugar keeps pace with Gor Mahia and Tusker FC as they take their points tally to 48 from 25 games.
Nzoia will now head into next week’s big fixture against second place Tusker FC in high spirits and feeling smug after the win against Mathare. The brewers have now amassed 51 points from 24 games and a win for them at Sudi Stadium could mean they go on top of the FKF Premier League table with a game in hand if Gor Mahia loses their next match.