Zoo FC stage comeback to share spoils with Mathare United
The Kericho-based side was almost losing their 12th match this season but made sure they drew with the host to record the third draw
Zoo FC fought back to register a 2-2 draw against Mathare United in a Kenyan Premier League (KPL) tie at Kerich Green Stadium on Wednesday.
South Sudan international Daniel Lual scored his first goal for Mathare United when he broke the deadlock in the first half and James Kinyanjui scored the other one while Wilson Anekeya and Collins Neto were the scorers for the hosts.
Lual scored the opening goal in the eighth minute as he easily tapped in while inside the box having been in the right place to receive a pass from Kinyanjui and did well to score his first-ever KPL goal.
Zoo were not pegged back after conceding the goal and their attacks were rewarded in the 15th minute when Anekeya beat Mathare United’s goalkeeper John Ochieng with a direct free-kick.
Kepha Ondati would have made it 2-1 for Zoo a minute before the half-time break but his chance went off-target as the hosts looked the stronger side in the last minutes of the first stanza.
The Slum Boys took the lead again in the 52nd minute when Kinyanjui volleyed the ball over Brian Lumumba from outside the box as the visitors looked a more determinant side from the early stages of the second half.
Chris Oduor almost made it 3-1 for Mathare United but a clinical save by Lumumba saved the day for Zoo FC. Oduor entered into Zoo’s penalty area after leaving his markers in the dust just minutes after replacing Alphonse Ndonye, but Lumumba was alert to thwart the danger presented by his low drive.
Zoo again restored parity in the 70th minute when Neto’s effort was too powerful for Ochieng to stop from finding the back of the net.
The last 20 minutes did not see any impact on the scoreline as both sides fought to maintain their goal tally and eventually share the spoils.
Mathare United will remain at position 10 with 25 points while Zoo are also stuck at position 12 with 10 fewer points than the Slum Boys.
Zoo will host KCB on February 1 while Mathare United visit Sofapaka at Kenyatta Stadium a day later for their next league assignments.
Zoo FC XI: Lumumba Brian, Ambulwa Eugene, Murabwa Matini, Akiya Stanislaus, Otiso Fredrick, Ondati Khepa, Benard Odhiambo, Anami Derrick, Anekeya Wilson, Neto Collins, Ongeri Dennis
Subs: Misikhu, Onchwari, Gichana, Ggolola, OndarI, Danson, Kipkoech
Mathare United XI: Job Ochieng, Marvin Ongori, Lennox Ogutu, Andrew Juma, David Owino, Roy Okal, Alphonse Ndonye, Kevin Kimani, Tyson Otieno, James Kinyanjui, Dani Lual
Subs: David Okello, Harun Junior, Salim Chacha, Daniel Otieno, Clifford Alwanga, John Mwangi, Chris Oduor.
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