Kevinluke Otiala cancels out John Makwata’s opener
Mathare United and Kariobangi Sharks could not be separated at the Police Sacco Stadium as they played out a 1-1 draw on Saturday in the Premier League.
John Makwata gave Mathare the lead early in the second half, scoring at the near post for his second goal since joining in midseason. The lads, however, could not hold on to their advantage as Sharks, through captain Kevinluke Otiala, forced a share of the spoils.
John Kamau’s men, who continue to wait for their first back-to-back winning sequence of the season, remain in 11th place, having improved to 26 points.
Both teams had their opportunities, with Humphrey Aroko coming close on several occasions for Sharks, while United saw chances by Paul Kinyanjui and Isaac Omweri go begging.
The lads, who ended a goalless opening half on top of proceedings, scored immediately after the restart after Brian Ouru’s inviting ball into the area was turned home by Makwata from close range. It was the former KPL Golden Boot winner and former Sharks player’s second goal in five games since joining the team in the January transfer window.
Makwata had earlier in the week lost his big brother, Samson Makwata, but chose to remain with the team and play in the Derby. After scoring, he dedicated his goal to his brother with a message inscribed on a shirt underneath his jersey.
Defending setpieces has been a major conundrum for the Slumboys, and on Saturday, they were again left undone by a deadball situation, this time a corner with 12 minutes to go that Otiala rose highest to convert.
Having picked up five points in the early fixtures of the second leg, the lads will be looking to return to winning ways when they host Shabana in midweek action on Wednesday.