Mathare United savoured the returns of investment made on Musa Masika for the fifth time as the midfielder’s lone goal was enough to hand the 2008 Premier League champions a 1-0 win over Ulinzi Stars at Dandora Stadium. Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsMasika has been a revelation since joining Mathare in the mid-season transfer window from Gor Mahia, scoring five crucial goals to add to the single strike he had managed in the first leg at K’Ogalo. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8931528##The creative midfielder has been largely coming off the bench in the past assignments, but on Saturday was drafted into the starting lineup, perhaps due to his goal contributions as an impact player. His strike against Ulinzi was enough to steer the Slum Boys back to winning ways after three rounds and further took their wins to ten in the campaign, effectively eliminating any relegation doubts in the process. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8931528##While it was a good day in the office for Masika and Mathare, the result leaves the Soldiers winless in four matches and still in danger of losing their top-flight status. First halfThere was nothing to write home about the first half, which was off to a sluggish start as both teams took their time to settle in and build momentum for the opening goal.Mathare were the quickest in shaking off the slow start thanks to coach John Kamau’s philosophy, which entails knocking the ball around and patiently breaking the lines.Their possession, however, counted for nothing as Ulinzi were compact and minimised the spaces in their half when under pressure from the hosts.Rising Stars’ AFCON U20 top scorer reveals why he wears jersey number 14Ulinzi were not entirely playing catch-up in the first quarter, given the inroads made to the Mathare area courtesy of Bonface Muchiri and Yakeen Mutheli.A few long balls launched to the Mathare area were well met by towering forward Oscar Wamalwa, but his markers never allowed him space to shoot at Robert Mboya. Key in feeding the Ulinzi forwards was Joseph Onyango, who not only helped in opening up the defence but also worked hard when out of possession. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8931520##The decision by coach Kamau to start his impact players Masika and Paul Kinyanjui proved spot on as the two caused the Ulinzi back line trouble late in the opening half with their runs. Wing back John Nyawir and overlapping right back Sammy Imbuye also asked questions in the Ulinzi area, but did not succeed in getting the ball past Ricks Omondi. Second halfExpectations of a feisty start in the final half were high, considering that both teams were in need of maximum points to boost their chances of a respectable finish. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8931524##However, that was not the case, as both teams failed to capitalise on the few chances created, forcing coaches to look into their respective benches for options.Change of formations and other tactical tweaks improved the intensity, but still, getting the ball into the net was the missing part of the game’s jigsaw.TACTICAL ANALYSIS: How 19-year-old rookie secured victory for Sharks against KCBThe game-changing moment came in the 73rd minute when Masika picked up a pass from Brian Ouru before volleying it hard past the fully stretched Omondi.Masika, spotted space on Omondi’s right side before hitting the ball hard from the edge of the box to earn his side three points.
