Mathare and Nairobi United renew rivalry in the Premier League after their last meeting in the second tier league last year
After a two weeks break, Mathare United returns to Premier League action on Thursday and will face off with Nairobi United at Dandora Stadium.
The match offers John Kamau’s men the chance to return to winning ways and claw themselves out of the relegation zone, and Brian Ouru, who has been a constant fixture in midfield, believes they will get the job done.
“It will not be an easy game because they (Nairobi United) are also seeking to climb up the standings. We already know what sort of game it will be in terms of intensity, and we are ready. We have worked well during this lengthy spell since our last game, and I am confident we will earn a positive result.”
The game against United, a Nairobi Derby, was scheduled to take place last weekend, but owing to Nairobi’s continental engagements, it was pushed forward to Thursday at 4 pm.
Mathare United have endured a tough start to the season having managed just three wins through 10 matches. With five of those ending in defeat, the Slumboys find themselves in a precarious position, sitting third from bottom.
A positive note, though, on this situation is that one win could lift them out of the red zone and into the top half of the table.
A lack of goals has been the team’s Achilles heel, and with seven goals so far, Mathare has the joint-worst return.
Addressing the team’s bluntness in attack, Ouru acknowledged that it is a situation that concerns him, as it shouldn’t be a load only carried by the striking department.
He said, “I haven’t scored this season, and I am itching to do so. I don’t only want to do it for myself, but also to help the team succeed. The scoring load shouldn’t be left only for the strikers. It is our responsibility as players to do everything to help the team win, and scoring is one important aspect.”
Thursday’s game will be the first ever meeting in the top-flight between Mathare and Nairobi. The two teams first met during the 2023/24 National Super League (NSL) season, with the Slumboys winning both home and away.