Daniel Otieno on target as Mathare hammer down Wazito

Daniel Otieno's second-half header was all that Mathare United needed as they came out 1-0 victors over Wazito FC in an entertaining FKFPL game on Saturday at the Ruaraka Stadium.

Deadlocked at 0-0 with 10 minutes to go, Brian Okeyo lifted a long throw-in that fell into Otieno's path just inside the box. The latter skipped and glanced his header backward, outclassing Obudho in goal to send the Mathare United fans into delirium.

The win - a fourth one for Mathare - sends them out of the relegation zone pipping Nairobi City Stars into 15th on the table.

Wazito on the other hand remain in 17th position, with only 10 points to their name.

"That's what I was talking about," Mathare United coach Samuel Koko said referencing his promise made in the last fixture. "I am so happy to deliver a win to the fans. It was a good game, felt good to win it late. You can see what we are doing now."

A distraught Charles Odera thought the game was fairly called but believed it was a decent showing in his first game.

"We lost yes but I felt the boys gave it a go, " Odera said. "We will dust ourselves and get ready for the next game against Kariobangi Sharks."

Game Recap.

Wazito FC came off to an aggressive start, pinning Mathare United to their half but none of the sides seemed to create clear goal-scoring opportunities in the opening minutes.

Mohamed Yusuf came close for Wazito just after the half-hour mark but his right foot shot went just over the bar. Curtis Wekesa came close a few minutes later from a freekick - his attempt falling to the arms of Churchill Obudho in goal.

Enosh Ochieng's brace downs Nairobi City Stars

Wekesa then thought he was fouled inside the box after going down to Obudho's challenge. The referee however waved play on, with Wazito creating a quick chance from a counterattack.

Stanley Okwemba had time to pick his spot in the final play of the half from a Wazito throw-in, with his right-footed shot going agonizingly wide.

The second half was all the brighter, with Wazito creating the first opportunity from the long throw-in from Bulimo.

Five minutes later, it was Mathare who were dictating the tempo and they came close to taking the lead when Steve Kimari bottled a glorious one-on-one opportunity to shoot straight to the keeper.

Wekesa came close in the 58th minute after being left to attack down the left channel. He tried to connect with Daniel Otieno but the keeper climbed over to collect- forcing a stoppage as he lay injured.

Collins Neto hit the side-netting on one of Wazito's chances in the second half, much to the relief of a retreating Mathare backline.

Things got heated with 15 minutes left to play when Okwemba was fouled in the center circle. A seething Charles Odero was booked in the process.

Derrick Ikholi should have scored just inside the box but his ferocious shot went wide, adding more tempo to Mathare's play inside the last 10 minutes.

The moment then came for Mathare United when a long throw from Okeyo fell into the path of Otieno. The striker cutely glanced his header past the keeper, sparking huge celebrations from the Mathare bench and fans on the ground.

LINEUPS:

Mathare United.

Brian Olang'o, Fidel Otieno, Joseph Odhiambo, Brian Okeyo, Gideon Were, Derrick Ikholi, Curtis Wekesa, Khalid Jumaan, Francis Wasike, Steve Kimari, Chris Opondo.

Wazito FC.

Churcil Obudho, Clinton Bulimo, Miheso Griffiths, Fred Magunda, Denis Owino, Stanley Okwemba, Felix Ochieng, Reagan Okoth, Collins Odhiambo, Ibrahim Ochieng, Mohamed Yusuf.