Mathare United head coach John Kamau was left frustrated after his team squandered chances in a 1-1 draw against Sofapaka at the Police Sacco Stadium.
Despite dominating the first half and taking an early lead through young star Paul Kinyanjui, Mathare United could not capitalize on their advantage, allowing Sofapaka to equalize in the second half.
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Mathare United came into this match eager to secure their first win of the season after struggling in previous games, including a 4-0 loss to AFC Leopards and a 0-0 draw against Kakamega Homeboyz.
The early stages of the match saw Mathare United control possession and attack with intent. Kinyanjui’s goal in the 19th minute gave them a deserved lead, sparking hope for three points.
Paul Kinyanjui, touted as one of the rising stars of the Kenyan Premier League, was a key figure throughout the first half.
His pace and movement troubled Sofapaka’s defense, and his well-taken goal was a reflection of his growing confidence.
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Kinyanjui’s performances have not gone unnoticed, with head coach John Kamau praising the youngster’s potential.
“We controlled the first half and had enough opportunities to put the game to bed,” Kamau said after the match. “Unfortunately, we didn’t take them, and we paid the price.”
While Mathare United dominated early on, Sofapaka, the 2009 champions, came out after halftime with a more direct and aggressive approach.
Their forward play began to cause problems for Mathare United’s defense, and as the second half progressed, the pressure mounted.
Sofapaka’s persistence paid off in the 69th minute when new signing Benjamin Mosha netted the equalizer.
The goal highlighted Mathare United’s inability to maintain their composure and control the game in the second half, something Kamau admitted was a key issue.
“Sofapaka came at us hard in the second half, and we couldn’t keep possession as well as we did in the first half,” Kamau remarked. “We lost our composure and allowed them to grow into the game.”
The inability to capitalize on first-half opportunities was a recurring theme for Mathare United. While they created several chances in the opening 45 minutes, their failure to convert those opportunities ultimately cost them the win.
Kamau acknowledged that his side had dropped two points, especially considering the number of chances they had to extend their lead before halftime. “We should have won it, especially with the opportunities we created,” Kamau lamented.
His frustration was evident, as Mathare once again found themselves unable to secure a much-needed victory.
Despite the disappointment of the result, Kamau was full of praise for young forward Paul Kinyanjui, who scored Mathare United’s only goal.
Kinyanjui has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, and Kamau believes he is on track to become one of the breakout stars of the Kenyan Premier League.
“Kinyanjui has shown flashes of brilliance, and I believe he’ll be one of the most exciting young players in the league this season,” Kamau stated. The coach emphasized, however, that the youngster’s workload needs to be managed carefully to avoid burnout.
“We have to be smart with him. Playing him in every match might wear him out too early,” Kamau explained. “We’ll use him mainly in the first half and then gradually give him time to rest as the season progresses.”
Mathare’s defensive struggles have been apparent throughout the early stages of the season, and this match against Sofapaka was no exception. After a solid first half, the team’s defense faltered under pressure, and their inability to maintain possession in key moments allowed Sofapaka back into the game.
Kamau’s post-match analysis acknowledged the defensive lapses that have plagued Mathare, but he also expressed optimism about the lessons learned. “This game has taught us some hard lessons. We’ll build on that as we prepare for the next challenge,” he said.
