Asieche inflicts first defeat on KCB, Matano as Mathare bounce back

Mathare United registered their first victory of the 2025/26 FKF Premier League season after edging out KCB FC 1-0 in a thrilling round-two clash on Friday afternoon.

Captain Elli Asieche’s well-taken strike in the 43rd minute proved decisive as the Slum Boys stunned Robert Matano’s men at a rain-soaked venue.

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Coming into the fixture, Mathare were desperate to bounce back from their opening-day 2-1 defeat to Posta Rangers.

KCB, on the other hand, buoyed by emphatic 2-0 victory over Tusker in their season opener tie last week,were aiming to extend their perfect start.

From the first whistle, the match lived up to its billing, with both sides creating early chances in an explosive opening.

Mathare threatened first in the seventh minute when Asieche connected with Paul Kinyanjui’s cross, but his effort flew wide.

KCB responded swiftly, Kelvin Etemesi firing over after linking up with Boniface Omondi.

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For much of the first half, both teams matched each other in midfield, with Jack Ong'anya and Junior Nyawir standing out for their respective sides.

The breakthrough arrived two minutes before halftime.

After a foul on Herit Mungai near the edge of the box, Asieche stepped up with composure, curling a delightful effort beyond goalkeeper Boniface Munyasa, sparking wild celebrations from the Mathare bench.

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The second half saw KCB dominate possession in search of an equalizer.

Clyde Senaji’s thunderous strike in the 50th minute forced a spectacular save from Mathare keeper Kevin Ouru, who tipped the ball onto the post.

Etemesi also went close just before the hour mark, narrowly missing a tap-in from Mungai’s delivery.

Mathare coach John Kamau introduced Dennis Okoth to add attacking depth, and the substitute nearly doubled the lead with a powerful header from Asieche's perfectly weighted corner kick delivery.

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Despite KCB’s relentless push, Mathare’s defense, marshalled by veteran Robert Mboya after Ouru was stretched off injured, held firm through ten minutes of added time.

The result lifted Mathare to fifth place in the standings, while KCB, despite suffering their first defeat of the campaign, remain second after two rounds.