Murang’a Seal extend 10-game unbeaten run against Mathare as APS Bomet hold Mara
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Reading Time: 6min | Sat. 10.01.26. | 17:23
Meanwhile, at Kericho Green Stadium, APS Bomet came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Mara Sugar in another FKFPL encounter on Saturday
A resurgent Murang’a Seal stretched their unbeaten run in the FKF Premier League to 10 matches after edging Mathare United 2-0 at the Police Sacco Stadium on Saturday, 10 January.
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The goals of the contest arrived in the 29th minute and 90th minute, when Victor Haki finished off a well-worked move after being played through by captain Joe Waithera.
Substitute Jackson Imbiakha scored the second in extra time.
The encounter unfolded in two distinct halves, with Murang’a controlling proceedings before the break, while the Slum Boys dictated much of the tempo in the second stanza.
The Murang’a-based side closed out the final stretch of 2025 without tasting defeat, assembling an impressive nine-match unbeaten run.
Their last loss came on October 26, when they went down 1-0 to Tusker FC.
Seal responded strongly with a 2-2 draw against Posta Rangers before claiming a hard-fought 2-1 victory over KCB FC.
They then settled into consistency, registering draws against Kakamega Homeboyz (1-1), AFC Leopards (0-0), Shabana (1-1), Kariobangi Sharks (0-0) and Nairobi United (1-1).
They capped off the year in style with back-to-back wins, edging Kenya Police 1-0 before dispatching Mara Sugar 3-1.
Those results have seen Seal collect 21 points from 15 matches, placing them comfortably in the top half of the table. Mathare United remain 12th with 18 points after 16 outings.
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Match Report
The clash at Kasarani Annex got off to a lively start, though both sides adopted a cautious approach in the early stages.
Neither team was willing to take the initiative in the opening minutes, preferring to feel their way into the contest.
However, as the clock ticked on, individual battles began to emerge, and both sides slowly started to roll up their sleeves.
Paul Osama and Dennis Munyovi began to lead the charge for Osborne Monday’s charges, who increasingly found themselves camped in Mathare’s dangerous areas.
At the other end, former Shabana forward Dennis Okoth combined well with John Nyawir, forcing a flurry of corner kicks off Mustapha Oduor before the 20-minute mark.
Nyawir continued to enjoy a productive spell on his flank, linking up well with Musa Masika and Mohammed Kilume, who afforded him the space to surge forward with the ball.
Despite their promising attacking play, however, the John Kamau-coached outfit struggled to pose any meaningful threat to the Seals’ goal.
In the 24th minute, the Seals had a penalty appeal waved away after players felt a Mathare defender had handled the ball as Osama dribbled into the box before attempting a pass.
Centre referee Israel Mpaima was unmoved by the protests and waved play on without hesitation.
Moments later, former Kariobangi Sharks midfielder Francis Memusi came close to opening the scoring after winning the ball outside the penalty area, but a lack of composure saw him blaze his effort over the bar.
Seconds later, the Murang’a-based side began to grow into the game.
Captain Joe Waithera pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the box before forcing a save from Kevin Ouru.
They say when you knock, the door will eventually open, and Murang’a’s persistence finally paid off in the 30th minute.
Mathare attempted to build from the back, but former Mombasa United winger Osama intercepted the move and drove forward before slipping the ball to Memusi.
The midfielder took two touches before squaring it to skipper Waithera.
As Mathare’s defenders converged on the captain, Victor Haki was left completely unmarked on the left.
Waithera calmly rolled the ball into Haki’s path, and the former Nzoia Sugar man controlled before coolly pushing the ball past Ouru to spark celebrations from a handful of Murang’a fans in the stands.
A few vuvuzelas could be heard as Haki led his teammates in celebration.
Mathare nearly responded immediately. A minute later, Masika slid in to meet an Ian Omondi cross but could only lift his effort over the bar.
Following the goal, Mathare appeared to drop a gear, allowing Murang’a to dominate large spells of play. In the 36th minute, an outswinging cross from Haki into the box was well dealt with by Fidel Otieno as the visitors continued their ascendancy.
Moments later, Ouru was again called into action after Haki and Waithera combined in a well-worked training-ground routine that almost stunned Kamau’s charges.
The goalkeeper reacted instinctively, producing a fine left-handed save to deny Waithera a second goal. A top save.
Michael Oduor became the first player to enter the referee’s book after a late challenge on Wilson Ngugi, the only notable incident as Mpaima brought the first half to a close with the whistle.
Second half
The second half began with two changes from the Slum Boys, as Masika and Oduor made way for Ange Donald and Elly Asieche in a bid to inject more urgency into the attack.
The opening five minutes mirrored the first half, with frequent stoppages disrupting the rhythm as both sides struggled to settle.
However, Mathare gradually began to grow into the contest, enjoying more possession and pushing Murang’a deeper into their own half.
The Slum Boys carved out half-chances through Nyawir and Okoth, but their final ball often let them down, while composure deserted them in key moments.
Despite sustained pressure, Mathare failed to make their dominance count as Seal held firm defensively.
With Mathare close to taking full control, Osborne Monday reacted by introducing Mark Mwaniki and Lucas Maina for Francis Memusi and Paul Osama.
The changes injected fresh energy into Seal’s attack, with Mwaniki nearly turning provider after beating his marker and delivering a teasing cross that goalkeeper Kevin Ouru gratefully collected.
Mathare continued to probe and almost found an equaliser in the 60th minute, but Seal goalkeeper Mustapha produced a succession of saves to deny Nyawir and Dennis Okoth, keeping the visitors in front as the Slum Boys ramped up the pressure.
In the 67th minute, Mathare won a free kick in a dangerous area after Price Musebe brought down Nyawir.
Asieche stepped up and showcased his dead-ball ability, unleashing a fierce effort that crashed off the crossbar. The home side were now knocking incessantly.
Sensing the pressure, Murang’a made further changes, introducing Joseph Omulama and Jackson Imbiakha for Victor Haki and Owen, while Mathare handed a debut to Isaac Omweri, who joined the club from Nairobi United earlier in the week.
The contest became finely balanced as tempers flared.
In the 78th minute, tensions boiled over following a heated exchange between players, with referee intervention required to restore order.
Asieche was shown a yellow card, while Mohammed Kilume, Paul Ngugi, and Dennis Munyovi were also booked as emotions ran high.
Both sides pushed for a decisive moment in the closing stages, but clear-cut chances proved elusive.
The final minutes were scrappy and stop-start, punctuated by fouls and a flurry of yellow cards, as Murang’a Seal dug deep to see out a hard-earned victory that was made better with a stoppage-time goal from Imbiakha.
APS Bomet 1-1 Mara Sugar
Meanwhile, at Kericho Green Stadium, APS Bomet came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Mara Sugar FC in another FKFPL encounter on Saturday.
Former Vihiga United defender Robinson Musungu gave Mara Sugar an early lead in the third minute, before Francis Omondi struck late in the 80th minute to rescue a point for the hosts.
The stalemate lifts Mara Sugar to 11th on the log with 19 points, while APS Bomet remain 16th with 14 points.
