Gor Mahia’s eleven-match unbeaten streak was brought to an end in stunning fashion on Wednesday afternoon when a rejuvenated Mathare United handed them only their second defeat of the season following a 2-1 loss.In the rescheduled league fixture played at the Moi Kasarani Stadium, in-form, Daniel Otieno rose from the bench to inspire his side to the giant slaying victory as his 82nd-minute strike ended up powering Mathare to a vital three points that lifted them out of the relegation zones for the first time this season.#FKFPL FT.Mathare United 2 – 1 Gor MahiaFC Talanta 2 – 1 Vihiga Bullets The real MUFC is back.#RadullKE #TalantaHela pic.twitter.com/1zvdvtB9Fs— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) March 1, 2023 Before his heroics, Gor Mahia appeared to have salvaged at least a point from the game when Benson Omala extended his tally at the top of the scoring charts with his seventeenth strike of the season that canceled out Douglas Koech’s sixth-minute strike.Mathare United were the quickest off the blocks and laid bare their intentions as early as the first minute when Koech fired a shot on target that was well saved by Gad Mathew in the Gor goal.##NAJAVA_MECA_7059489##Looking to get the advantage early on in order to have something to latch onto, the slum boys managed to find the desired outcome in the sixth minute when Koech found himself in the right place to the box to head in the ball over the line.It all started when Chris Owino showed good skill to chest down a lofted pass from midfield that squared him one on one against the keeper.Having managed to get his beating at the second time of asking, Owino fired a snapshot that hit the woodwork. Luckily, Kibet was on hand to poke the ball into the net to give his side the lead.Full Time.Mathare United 2 Gor Mahia 1.The revival continues.— Aaron Cheruiyot (@Aaroncheruiyot) March 1, 2023 After getting what they were chasing after, the slum boys retreated to defend their own box leaving Gor Mahia to find a way of prising them open.An inspired Brian Olang’o was however not to be beaten as he made a crucial fingertip save to turn Omala’s goal-bound header over the bar.Two minutes to the break, the dominating Gor thought they had taken the lead when Omala, this time managed to beat Olang’o with a powerful header after some neat work by Austin Odhiambo, but the team’s celebrations were cut short when the linesman lifted his flag for offside.Ugandan import Peter Lwasa wasted arguably the best chance to restore parity in the game when he took unnecessary extra touches when he should have just hit the ball the first time, much to the anger of his players as Gor went into the break trailing.At the start of the second half, Gor brought on John Macharia and Boniface Omondi in place of Lwasa and George Odhiambo in a bid to affect the scoreboard.Their persistent pressure ended up paying off in the 65th minute when Omala rose highest to head in an Austin free kick delivered into the area to restore parity.Against the run of play, Mathare grabbed the winner with only eight minutes left when Otieno capitalized on a poorly attempted backpass by Joshua Onyango as he raced on goal before powering the ball past a hapless Gad ad he sealed the victory in deserving style for Mathare.Mathare UnitedBrian Olang’o (GK), Fidel Otieno, Joseph Odhiambo, Brian Okeyo (David Ochieng 49′), Were Gideon, Khalid Jumaan, Curtis Wekesa, Derrick Ikholi, Kimani Steve (Daniel Otieno 52′), Chris Opondo, Douglas KoechGor MahiaGad Mathew (GK), Philemon Otieno, Geoffrey Ochieng, Joshua Onyango, Dennis Ng’ang’a, Ernest Wendo, George Odhiambo (Boniface Omondi 46′), Alpha Onyango, Benson Omala, Peter Lwasa ( John Macharia 46′), Lloyd Khavuchi (Austin Ochieng 27′)
