Substitutes come to Posta's rescue to complete comeback against Mathare United

Posta Rangers delivered an impressive second-half comeback to down Mathare United 2-1 in the final match of the FKF Premier League opening weekend at Kasarani Annex on Monday, 22 September.

Sammy 'Pamzo' Omollo's side had trailed in the first half when Elli Asieche converted a 43rd-minute penalty, but showed incredible spirit to turn around the contest in a dominant second half that saw the Mailmen dig deep into their bench.

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Having witnessed several opportunities go begging, Posta earned a route back into the tie when substitute Faustine Ojiambo slammed home from Jackson Dwang's freekick in the 72nd minute, before three other second-half changes - Vincent Wasambo, Lewis Shivachi and Trevor Omondi - combined in a flowing move that saw the latter finish beyond Kevin Ouru for the winner.

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Match Report

Playing the last game of what has been a dramatic opening weekend, both sides engaged in a near-chess match for the opening 15 minutes, with chances to score few and far in between.

Excluding a scuffed attempt by Dwang that went wide, it took until the 28th minute for a real chance to fall.

Caleb Olilo, who had been enterprising on Posta’s right wing, sent in a cross that connected with Brian Yakhama, only for Mathare’s Ian Omondi to produce a goal-line clearance with Kevin Ouru beaten.

Two minutes later, Posta went close yet again through Yakhama, only for his long-range shot to fall kindly in the goalkeeper’s arms.

A busy Ouru was again forced into action in the 35th minute, expertly clawing away Yakhama’s free kick from just outside the box.

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Matters seemed to be going all Posta’s way until Mathare produced a late first-half fury, marked by a stinging shot from Paul Kinyanjui.

A moment that went on to define the game then came in the 42nd minute, when Olilo, with all intent of clearing a looping ball, handled the ball inside the box, giving centre referee Murichu Gichinga little to do than point to the spot.

Asieche, who had been the intended target of Herit Mungai’s cross that led to the penalty, sent his spot-kick to the top right, giving the Slum Boys a surprise lead at the break.

In need of a quick turnaround, Posta coach Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo made a substitution at halftime, bringing on Brian Marita to inject some pace upfront.

The move almost paid dividends in the first 15 minutes of a half dominated by Posta, with the former Tusker man laying on Yakhama on multiple occasions, only for the lanky striker to miss the mark.

When a stray ball from Mungai fell to Yakhama and with only the goalkeeper to beat, the former AFC Leopards man hit his shot straight at Ouru, before trudging off with an apparent injury.

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Another pair of substitutions by Pamzo at the hour-mark introduced more fire to Posta, and it was only a matter of time before their efforts bore rewards, with Ojiambo heading a rebound from Dwang’s freekick to the bottom-left corner for a deserved equaliser.

Prior to the goal, the Mailmen had seen a penalty appeal from Mungai’s handball inside the box waved on, before Omondi produced another goal-line clearance to keep out Kevin Juma.

Mathare, staring a poor second half, only got their first effort at goal after the break through Asieche, only for his long-range freekick to fall in the arms of Odhiambo.

A few minutes later, Mathare United coach John Kamau could only fold his arms mumbling, as three Posta substitutes connected on a flowing move to complete the turnaround.

The sequence that started deep in Posta's half saw all Wasambo link up with Shivachi, who played a one-two with Omondi to score in his topflight debut.

Shivachi and substitute Maxwell Odada would come close yet again for Posta, but their job had already been done. Substitutes to the rescue.