KCB 1-0 Mathare United: Bankers continue shining above Tusker and AFC Leopards

Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) FC have extended their stay on top of the Football Kenya Federation Premier League table after claiming a 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Mathare United at Ruaraka Grounds on Saturday.

The lone goal came in the second half from Derrick Otanga who converted from the penalty spot.

It was the hosts who started the match on a high and would have gone ahead after just 10 minutes. But David Ambulu's well-taken free-kick from the edge of the 18-yard area narrowly missed the target.

Eugene Wethuli and Khalid Jumaan had chances for the struggling Slum Boys in the first half but they lacked much-needed composure to find the back of the net.

The best chances of the first half fell to the Bankers: Michael Oduor's effort in the 27th minute came off the crossbar, while Otanga failed to beat the goalkeeper one-on-one in the 33rd minute.

Eventually, the first half ended goalless but the league leaders surely felt they should have got at least a goal owing to the massive chances they created.

After the break, the Zedekiah Otieno-led charges upped their tempo in search of an opening goal. They were eventually rewarded in the 58th minute. Lennox Ogutu brought down Badi Baraka in the danger zone.

The referee handed the hosts a penalty and Otanga stepped up, held his nerves before sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to give the Bankers a deserved lead.

With 12 minutes to go, Tyson Otieno teed Jumaan in a good area, but the latter failed to composure himself and shot wide with the goalkeeper well beaten.

KCB are now on 42 points, four more than second-placed Tusker FC who are on 38, and five more than Leopards. The Brewers and Ingwe have played 19 matches each.

On the other hand, Mathare are at the bottom of the table with eight points from 19 games.

KCB XI: Joseph Ochuka, Baraka Badi, Dennis Odhiambo, Rama Mwenda, Nashon Nanyendo, Brian Ndenga, Michael Oduor, Vincent Wasambo, Victor Omondi, Derrick Otanga, David Ambulu 

Subs: Gabriel Andika, Daniel Odiwuor, David Simiyu, Harun Thomas, Curtis Wekesa, Henry Onyango, Victor Ochami, Samuel Mwangi, Reagan Otieno, Martin Mbugua, Bethuel Achola, Simon Munala

Mathare United XI: Job Ochieng, Kennedy Ochieng, Lennox Ogutu, Anthony Oginga, Norman Ogola, Cercidy Okeyo, Chrispin Oduor, Khalid Jumaan, Tyson Otieno, Eugene Wethuli, Klinsman Omulanga 

Subs: David Okello, Martin Ongori, Austine Ochieng, Alphonce Ndonye, Clifford Alwanga, Daniel Otieno, Danson Kago, Boniface Akenga