Boniface Munyendo and Joseph were on target as Nzoia Sugar beat Mathare United 2-1 to move to second on the log at Utalii Grounds on Thursday afternoon, with Douglas Kibet getting the consolation for the Slum Boys.This was the first FKFPL match for Mathare United who had been held up in the relegation/promotion tussle.For Munyendo, it was his fourth goal of the campaign to go joint top on the scoring chart with Gor Mahia’s Benson Omala, Tusker’s Deogratious Ojok, and Ulinzi Stars’ Hillary Simiyu.Eight players were making their debut for Mathare, two of them in Gideon Werre and Fidel Otieno playing in the topflight for the first time, the tactician Boniface Omondi also being on the touchline for the first time in the Premier League.It was all Nzoia in the opening stages but they were dealt a blow in the first half following the injury of Kevin Juma slightly past the quarter hour mark. The defensive midfield stalwart tried to play through the injury but he couldn’t manage and had to be replaced, with Thomas Harun taking his place 24 minutes in the game.Mathare had little to offer in the first half, and the same qould be seen after 34 minutes as Nzoia took the lead from the spot.Hassan Beja was brought down in the box prompting the center referee Zachariah Wachira to point to the spot, a penalty that Mathare protested for being too soft.Just like he has done in the past two matches, Boniface Munyendo stepped up to to take the resultant kick and made no mistake as he slotted home past Mustapha Oduor.The Slum Boys responded by trying to hit the ball long, and it almost paid off one time from a resultant corner but Donald Ange’s headed effort was saved by Humphrey Katasi.Three minutes into the second half, Yasin Sije would have doubled the advantage for the Millers but he was denied by the post.At the stroke of the hour mark, Mathare’s tactician made a triple change as he introduced Mark Khadoi, Daniel Otieno, and Dennis Sakwe for Augustine Kuta, Khalid Jumaan, and Chris Owino as they sought to get an equalizer.The change seemed to work for Mathare as they had more forays forward, but still Nzoia found a way around it with a counter attack.The Millers broke through the left wing and a cut back into the box was met by Joseph Mwangi to make it 2-0 for the visitors.Two minutes after the goal, Babu made an attacking change as he sought to get more goals, Yasin Sije making way for Mohammed Barisa.He followed it by bringing Leonard Kasembeli and Steve Otieno for Okanda and Joseph Mwangi.Mathare responded by resting Ange and bringing in Douglas Kibet for the final seven minutes.It was the substitute Kibet who got one back for Mathare, slotting the ball past Humphrey Katasi to make it 2-1.Mathare United Starting XI: Mustapha Oduor (GK), Fidel Otieno, Gideon Were, Lennox Ogutu, Levin Odhiambo, Alphonse Ndonye, Khalid Jumaan (C), Curtis Wekesa, Chris Owino, Augustine Kuta, Donald AngeSubs: Brian Olang’o (GK), Derrick Ikholi, Brian Okeyo, Dennis Sakhwe, Mark Khwasira, Victor Kioko, Said Musa, Daniel Otieno Douglas KibetNzoia Sugar Starting XI: Humphrey Katasi, Moses Mwale, Vincent Mahiga, Ian Karani, Salim Odeka, Kevin Juma (Thomas Harun 24′), Hassan Beja, Bonface Munyendo, Yasin Sije, Joseph Mwangi, Felicien OkandaUnused Subs: Benson Mangala, Timothy Wanyanga, Randy Bakari, Steve Otieno, Leonard Kasembeli, Aineah Ndete, Barisa Mohammed
