Kenyan Premier League leaders Mathare United extended their unbeaten run to ten match’s after sharing the spoils with Kariobangi Sharks in a thrilling barren draw Slums derby at Kasarani Stadium on Wednesday.
This was befitting result for both teams because no one deserved to lose.
The draw saw Francis Kimanzi’s men take their points tally to 24 and open a six points gap over Bandari who suffered a 4-0 demolition at the hands of Kakamega Homeboyz at Bukhungu Stadium.
Both teams started the match cautiously in a game that was very tactical.
The first real chance of the game arrived in the 15th minute when Mathare striker Cliff Nyakeya’s shot from the left flank crashed against the post before his glancing header went wide from James Kinyanjui’s delivery.
Five minutes later, Sharks came close to breaking the deadlock, but Vincent Wasambo’s effort agonizingly went inches wide after a brilliant run from pacy winger Harrison Mwendwa.
William Muluya’s men thought to have taken the lead in the 26th minute only for George Abege’s goal from a well taken free kick to be ruled offside.
Wasambo then saw his shot deflected for a fruitless corner before defender Johnstone Omurwa’s last ditch brilliant tackle denied Wasambo another scoring chance.
Sharks continued to probe and press with Mwendwa racing down the right flank only for his ferocious shot to be blocked by Andrew Juma before Duke Abuya’s header crashed against the left post after half hour mark.
Mathare responded immediately but good defending from Sharks stopped David Owino from giving the former league champions the lead.
Sharks then launched a counter attack with Abege releasing Abuya through, but the striker was for the second time denied by the woodwork.
Kevin Kimani had a chance to give Mathare the lead but his attempt was well blocked by goalkeeper John Oyemba after pouncing on Nyakeya’s rebound on the stroke of halftime.
After a balanced second half, Nixon could have ended Mathare’s unbeaten streak deep in the game but his header from Patillah Omoto’s free kick painfully bounced off target before substitute Sydney Lokale squandered a golden scoring chance.
