Mathare United produced a dramatic late winner to hand Kenya Police FC their first defeat in 13 matches, as substitute Paul Kinyanjui struck in the 90th minute to seal a 1-0 victory in a thrilling FKF Premier League encounter at Dandora Stadium.
The Slum Boys entered the match looking to avoid being dragged into the relegation battle, while Kenya Police aimed to extend their dominance at the top of the league table. However, a spirited performance from Mathare saw them claim all three points and shake up the FKF Premier League title race.
Mathare United Dominate Early Exchanges
Right from the opening whistle, Mathare United looked sharper and nearly took the lead within two minutes. Donald Ange found space inside the box and unleashed a shot after a well-controlled cross, but the ball struck the goalpost with goalkeeper Job Ochieng beaten.
Six minutes later, Ian Omondi came close to breaking the deadlock, rising highest to meet a cross, but Ochieng reacted quickly to make a crucial save. Mathare’s high-intensity pressing kept Kenya Police pinned back in their own half, forcing them into defensive errors.
Early Setback for Mathare as Anami Goes Off Injured
Despite their dominance, Mathare suffered an early setback in the 19th minute when forward Derrick Anami was forced off with an apparent knee injury. He had earlier gone down but attempted to continue before eventually being replaced by Brian Ouru.
This moment gave Kenya Police time to settle into the game, and they started to show more attacking intent through Mohamed Bajer and David Simiyu, both of whom tested Mathare’s backline.
Kenya Police Grow Into the Game But Waste Opportunities
As the match became more evenly balanced, Kenya Police began to create clear-cut chances. In the 35th minute, a defensive miscommunication nearly gifted them the lead, but Michael Wanyika produced a fantastic double save to keep Simiyu at bay.
Mathare also had their chances before the break, with Ochieng once again making a key save in the 45th minute to deny Ouru, who was through on goal.
Second Half Tactical Adjustments
Heading into the second half, Kenya Police made an attacking switch, bringing on David Okoth for Brian Musa in a bid to break through Mathare’s resilient defense.
The visitors nearly took the lead in the 68th minute when Eli Asieche struck a powerful long-range effort, but Ochieng backpedaled quickly and tipped the ball over the bar with a superb save.
Both teams continued making changes in the final quarter of the match, searching for the elusive goal that would decide the contest.
Paul Kinyanjui Breaks Kenya Police Hearts With 90th-Minute Winner
With eight minutes left, Ochieng produced yet another fantastic save to keep the match level. However, Mathare’s persistence paid off in the dying moments.
In the 90th minute, Kenya Police lost possession in midfield, allowing Mathare to launch a quick attack. Substitute Paul Kinyanjui found himself in the right place at the right time and tapped home the winner, sending Mathare fans into wild celebrations.
Impact on FKF Premier League Standings
The result shakes up the FKF Premier League title race, as Kenya Police’s 13-game unbeaten streak comes to an end. The defeat opens the door for challengers like Tusker and Gor Mahia to close the gap on the league leaders.
For Mathare United, the victory provides a huge morale boost, helping them move away from the relegation zone and gain crucial points in their fight for survival.
With the FKF Premier League race heating up, both teams will now shift their focus to the next round of fixtures, as Kenya Police look to bounce back while Mathare aim to build on this impressive win.
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