Promotion chasing pack of Mathare United and Naivas Football Club had a rude afternoon on Saturday with both sides dropping valuable points in the race to FKF Premier League glory.Separated with two points, the duo was keen to replicate their recent forms against mid-table sides Rainbow FC and Luanda Villa. However, the underdogs had other plans.##NAJAVA_MECA_7867041##In an early kick-off staged at the Mpesa Foundation, Thika, league leaders Naivas were stunned 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller against newcomers Rainbow who had to come from a goal down to secure the infamous win.Vincent Likare got the retailers to a dream start, pouncing on Robert Ponda’s delivery to head the hosts into the lead, though the celebrations were short-lived as Kenya Under 18 sensation Tyron Kariuki restored parity three minutes later to hand Erick Macharia’s charges a share of the spoil heading into the breather.Rainbow seemed the better side after the restart and their dominance over Collins Omondi’s side was rewarded with two quick goals from Tom Wainaina and Kariuki in the 50th and 52nd minute respectively, thanks to a calamitous reaction from Naivas goalkeeper Elix Otieno. Balecho confident of Murang’a Seal rise under coach Juma AbdallahStunned by the sudden turn of events, the 2020-2021 third-tier champions were caught in a defensive mix-up with Ali Salum rising to the occasion to bury a fourth with 60 minutes on the clock to take his tally to three goals in two games.Likare’s second of the match and Eliud Lokuwam’s penalty late in the game were not enough to salvage a point for the chain markets-powered team as they succumbed to a third defeat of the campaign.The win lifted Rainbow to ninth on the table with 27 points despite a slow start to the season.Luanda Villa 1-0 Mathare United Meanwhile, at Mumboha Stadium, Mathare United failed to take advantage of Naivas’s slip to edge Luanda Villa and move to the summit of the log as they suffered a 1-0 loss ending their five-game unbeaten run.Heading to the match as the underdogs though with strong backing from the home fans, Villa were determined to return to winning ways and had the returning striker Moses Masinde to thank for his 12th-minute strike that earned Tom Tera’s troops all three points.Despite suffering defeats, Naivas and Mathare United still hold the automatic promotion slots on 42 and 40 points respectively though the deficit may be cut short suppose Mara Sugar and Nairobi United record wins later in the day.Paul Were anticipating Engin Firat’s call after sealing return to Mathare UnitedThe win ended Villa’s streak of five games without a win further elevating them to seventh on the standings with 28 points.Elsewhere, Mulembe United shocked Darajani Gogo 1-0 at Mumias Complex thanks to Kendrick Onzere’s 24th-minute goal to keep alive their survival hopes.
