Vihiga Bullets do more than showing up for their home fixture against Mathare United

© Mathare United

FOOTBALL Vihiga Bullets do more than showing up for their home fixture against Mathare United

Kiplagat Sang • 15:40 - 09.04.2023

A second-half goal was enough for the struggling side to collect three points on home soil.

Fast sinking FKF Premier League side Vihiga Bullets registered a vital 1-0 Football Kenya Federation Premier League victory over Mathare United at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega on Sunday.

Bullets were not expected to honor this fixture given that they issued a walkover at the same venue earlier this week. The turn of events and shocking victory has left a hail of questions regarding the club's integrity. 

After a goalless first half, Bullets came more rejuvenated for the second half and scored an all-important goal that stunned the visitors.

Meanwhile, Dennilson Imbayi almost gave Bullets an opener in the 29th minute, but Brian Opiyo was alert as he made a vital save to keep the score 0-0.

At the halftime break, none of the teams had managed to utilize their few chances, as the score remained goalless.

However, in the second half, the home side was more ambitious, and their efforts were rewarded with a 51-minute goal scored by Joseph Oyugi.

The Slum Boys reacted to the Bullets’ lead by making two changes as Fuad Noor and Ronald Shichenje – who signed for Mathare in the last transfer window and made his debut against Talanta FC - came on for Derrick Ikholi and Chris Owino, respectively, in the 53rd minute.

The visitors made a further change a minute to the hour mark when Douglas Kibet replaced Baron Oketch.

In the 64th minute, Opiyo was called to action as he made another stunning save and prevented Bullets from doubling their lead.

After making key saves, Opiyo was shown a red card in the 75th minute when the referee sent him off for dissent. With a goal down and one man less, the 2008 champions faced a daunting task in tackling the rejuvenated Bullets.

Consequently, Fidel Otieno was withdrawn from the action as second-choice goalkeeper Bernard Jairo took Mathare’s gloves.

Despite being numerically disadvantaged, Mathare kept attacking, and in the 83rd minute, they were awarded a penalty. However, Daniel Otieno – Slum Boys’ outstanding player of the season so far – slipped and his penalty was saved.

The home side, in the end, managed to collect their second win of the season, but remain at the bottom of the table with eight points. Matahre are 15th with 22 points.