Mathare United looking to extend resurgence against Sofapaka

Image: Mathare United Facebook page

FKFPL Mathare United looking to extend resurgence against Sofapaka

Festus Chuma 07:09 - 08.03.2023

The Slum Boys will take on Batoto ba Mungu at Kasarani Main Stadium.

Mathare United will look to continue their fine form in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) when they face Sofapaka at the Kasarani Stadium on Wednesday.

After a difficult start to the campaign that saw them sack their head coach Boniface Omondi, Mathare seem to be in good hands at the moment, with interim coach Samuel Koko steering the destiny of the club in the right direction.

Under Koko, the Slum Boys have won four of their last six matches and currently sit 14th on the log with 16 points, four points above the relegation zone.

"We are not yet out of the woods because we have so many matches ahead; thus, we will approach each match at a time.

But as long as we are winning, we will have chances to finish in a better position," Koko said in a recent interview.

Mathare showed some quality when they beat table leaders Gor Mahia 2-1 in their last league match and will be hoping to maintain that momentum.

The Slum Boys, however, have struggled away this season as they have won just two games from eight matches, and in their last game as visitors, they fell 2-1 at the hands of Tusker.

Mathare has soaked in 33 goals and scored only 18, which shows they can still be handled and dealt with by the Batoto ba Mungu who have only let the ball into the back of their net 15 times.

Sofapaka saw their winless run in the league extend to three matches when they were beaten 2-0 by Kariobangi Sharks on Friday 24 February. The Batoto ba Mungu have lost only two of their seven home games in the current campaign.

David Ouma's charges are aware that games against lowly ranked sides like Mathare are crucial to their campaign.

The objective could be a win, as it will be a laudable feat for the hosts who have confirmed that they are already out of the title race.

"We have not had a good run in the league, and the Mozzart Bet Cup competition offers a perfect opportunity to be champions at the end of the season. We hope to make a double after clinching the Jamhuri Day Cup," said Ouma.

Sofapaka FC

Mathare United would be buoyed by growing support, but that could backfire if they feel excess pressure to deliver to please the fans instead of focusing on the realities and details of the game itself.

As the FKF Premier League enters its second leg, clubs will be cautiously stepping out to avoid blunders that may not be repaired when the league reaches the home stretch.