Timothy Otieno scored a brace as Posta Rangers staged a strong comeback against Mathare United at Thika Stadium to win 2-1 and move to fifth on the log.Just like in the first leg fixture, Mathare scored first in the first half and Posta had to come from behind again.Mathare United’s tactician John Kamau expressed his disappointment with the defeat, more so at how his team conceded in that match but remains confident that there is still 30 points to play for.”I am disappointed because of the way we conceded. Those were situations that could have been avoided. However, we still have 30 more points to play for,” Kamau said.The winning coach, Salim Ali termed the match a tight one but hailed the character displayed by his side in the win.”It was a tight game but I liked the character of my team. Despite conceding first they still cane up and won the match,” Ali said.The Mail Men had the most chances in the first half with a huge chunk of those falling to Timothy Otieno but they could not find the back of the net to make it count.One of Mathare’s best attempt came through Meshack Muyonga’s long range shot at the half hour mark. Donald Ange got hold of the ball on the right channel of the attack before producing a cutback that was missed by all the defending Posta Rangers players only to find Daniel Otieno. Otieno then laid it off for Muyonga but his effort went over the bar by a few inches.FT: Posta Rangers 2-1 Mathare United T.Otieno (54/8) / A.Ochieng (36)#PostaVsMathare pic.twitter.com/JIs9npcRhU— Mathare United FC (@MathareUtd) April 3, 2022 The forward forays by the visitors paid off when they took the lead 36 minutes in the game through Austin Ochieng from a freekick.Otieno had earned Mathare a freekick just on the edge of the box and two defenders, Kennedy Ochieng and Austine Ochieng stepped up to take the resultant kick.It was however the latter’s left footed shot that found it’s way into the net, ricocheting through the Posta Rangers wall to see Mathare take the lead into the break.Second half On resumption, Salim Ali introduced Cavin Odongo for Jackson Dwang, a change that on paper seemed like it was pulling Posta deeper than adding to the attacking options they much needed.However, it was not the case as Odongo had more contribution going forward, and even set up Timothy Otieno for the equalizer nine minutes in the second half. Odongo floated a nice cross from the left side of the attack to pick out Timothy Otieno who made no mistake and nodded into the net.Four minutes later, Timothy Otieno scored again to give Posta the lead for the first time in the match and complete his brace. Chasing the game, John Kamau introduced Eugene Wethuli and Douglas Kibet for Danson Kago and Khaled Jumaan 68 minutes in.Salim Ali brought in Brian Otieno and Benard Ondiek for Sammy Odero and Timothy Ouma for the final 20 minutes.Mathare made more changes a minute later, introducing Jackson Juma and Dennis Monda for Ndonye and Daniel Otieno a minute later to go for at least a point.For the final change, Ali brought in Chrispinus Onyango and Joshua Nyatini for Patrick Otieno and Vincent Wasambo with none minutes left to play in regular time.Posta Rangers Starting XI: Jairus Adira, Sammy Imbuye, Sammy Miseh, David Ochieng’, Kennedy Odhiambo, Sammy Odero (Brian Otieno) 70′, Brian Marita, Vincent Wasambo (Joshua Nyatini) 81′, Timothy Otieno (Benard Ondiek) 70′, Jackson Dwang (Cavin Odongo) 45’, Patrick Otieno (Chrispinus Onyango) 81’Unused subs: John Njau, Dinken Mwema, Victor NdinyaMathare United Starting XI: Byrne Omondi, Kennedy Ochieng, Austin Ochieng, Victor Odhiambo, Tony Odhiambo, Meshack Muyonga, Khalid Jumaan (Douglas Kibet) 68′ Alphonse Ndonye (Dennis Monda) 71′, Danson Kago (Eugene Wethuli) 68′, Daniel Otieno (Jackson Juma) 71′, Donald AngeUnused subs: Richard Ebenyo, Francis Kamau, Musa Saidi
