Posta Rangers 2-0 Mathare United: Nosediving Slum Boys handed ninth league defeat

Posta Rangers recorded a fourth Football Kenya Federation Premier League win after seeing off Mathare United 2-0 at Kasarani on Wednesday.

Alex Luganji and Amos Kigadi scored the goals for the Mailmen to condemn the Slum Boys to yet another loss in a season they have struggled since they were reinstated into the competition by a local tribunal.

As has been the case in a number of previous games, Mathare United conceded early when Luganji took advantage of goalkeeper David Okello's poor handling of the ball to slot home in the sixth minute. The strike is the 27th goal that has been registered in this Premier League fixture since 2010.

After getting the opener, Posta Rangers looked comfortable with ball possession but did not venture deep into Mathare United's area. However, in the 17th minute, Jackson Dwang struck from outside the penalty box but Okello, who has replaced Job Ochieng in goal for the past two matches, was alert this time around and stopped Dwang's shot.

Francis Nambute would have scored the second for the home side when Dwang's clinical pass found him in a promising position only for his header to go wide in the 22nd minute.

Okello was called to action again in the 26th minute when Joshua Nyatini launched a ferocious free-kick just when when Posta had decided to make Mathare United feel the effect of their dominance.

Stanley Okumbi made two changes as the second half started when Bernard Ondiek and Kigadi came on with Nambute and Luganji leaving the pitch. Luganji was cautioned with a yellow card in the 54th minute for his rushed and rough challenge on an opponent. 

Clifford Alwanga - who was named in the matchday squad for the first time this season after recovering from an injury - came on in the 57th minute to replace his South Sudan teammate Lual. Salim Ali made his second change in the 64th minute with Khalid Jumaan taking John Mwangi's place as the Slum Boys tried to find a way to stop their dominant rivals.

Although they looked stronger after the changes, Mathare United were not adventurous enough because they failed to test Kelvin Opiyo in Posta's goal. They, however, came close to restoring parity in the 77th minute when Opiyo came off his line and was beaten by Jumaan. Elvis Osok reacted quickly to save the moment as he cleared the ball from crossing the line. 

In the 80th minute, Posta doubled their lead when Kigadi found the back of Okello's net. His goal is the 13th for Posta in this fixture that pitted the Nairobi clubs for the 17th time since 2010.

Opiyo's 88th-minute reaction denied Mathare United a goal as he stopped a low drive from Lennox Ogutu's free-kick. Dwang was yellow-carded in the first minute of added time before he was withdrawn a minute later and his place was filled by Clinton Kisiavuki.

Posta Rangers XI: Kelvin Opiyo, Simon Mbugua, Elvis Osok, Joshua Nyatini, Kevin Ouma, Jackson Dwang, Francis Nambute, Sammy Odero, Alex Luganji, Calvin Odongo,

Subs: Bryne Omondi, Faina Jacobs, Dinken Mwema, Bernard Ondiek, Steiner Musasia, Dennis Oalo, Clinton Kisiavuki, Josephat Lopaga, Amos Kigadi.

Mathare United XI: David Okello, Martin Ongori, Lennox Ogutu, David Ochieng, Norman Ogolla, Dennis Ochieng, Chris Oduor, Danson Kago, Tyson Otieno, John Mwangi, Dani Lual,

Subs: Job Ochieng, Martin Werunga, Anthony Otieno, Cercidy Okeyo, Alphonse Ndonye, Kennedy Ochieng, Khalid Jumaan, Klinsman Omulanga, Clifford Alwanga.