Mathare United head coach John Kamau has admitted that his side paid the price for its mistakes after losing 2-1 to defending champions Gor Mahia in an intense FKF Premier League match at Dandora Stadium.
Despite taking an early lead through captain Elli Asieche, Mathare could not hold on as Gor Mahia capitalized on defensive lapses to secure all three points. Speaking after the match, Kamau acknowledged the challenge their more experienced opponents posed while emphasizing the lessons learned.
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“I think it’s been a very direct game, and we were punished for our own mistakes. We had to work so hard to get that one goal, and at some point, we were not in a position to contain them. We also had our chances but didn’t make use of them. The most important thing is the lessons picked from playing against such an experienced side,” Kamau said.
The Slum Boys started brightly, with Asieche heading in a well-delivered cross from Sam Imbuye in the 15th minute. Gor Mahia responded almost immediately, forcing Mathare’s goalkeeper Robert Mboya into action. The shot-stopper made two successive saves in the 19th minute to deny Gédéon Bendeka, but the warning signs were already there. Bendeka missed a golden opportunity to equalize shortly after when he blasted a clear-cut chance wide with only the goal at his mercy. However, Gor Mahia found their breakthrough in the 35th minute when Enock Morrison delivered a precise free kick, which Alphonse Omija nodded home for his second goal of the season, levelling the scores at 1-1.
The second half saw Gor Mahia push forward, and their persistence paid off when Samuel Kapen was fouled inside the penalty area by Kelly Mukok. The referee pointed to the spot, and Ghanaian international Enock Morrison calmly converted to give K’Ogalo the lead and ultimately secure maximum points.
The former Posta Rangers Head Coach also explained his decision to substitute mid-season signings Daniel Ange and Peter Oudu, who were making their debuts for Mathare United.
“According to me, it was an issue of trying to bring in fresh legs and at least try to defend far away from our goal. We thought we had to defend with forward players, hence the need for fresh legs.”
Despite the loss, the Slum Boys showed moments of promise, but Kamau will now look to tighten his squad and capitalize on the lessons learned as they prepare for their next fixture.
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