• FOOTBALL

• Frank Rotich 3 days ago

Murang’a Seal stop the rot with hard-fought victory over Homeboyz

Murang'a Seal finally returned to winning ways after edging Kakamega Homeboyz 1-0 in a thrilling Kenyan Premier League clash at Sebastian Park on Sunday.

Joe Waithera scored the all-important first-half goal as Murang’a Seal secured a crucial victory that ended their painful eight-match winless run and handed stand-in coach Dennis Odhiambo his first win since taking charge last month.

The hosts started brightly despite a delayed kick-off and immediately showed attacking intent. Victor Haki threatened early after combining well with Lucas Maina and Owen Michael, but his low shot hit the side netting.

Murang’a Seal continued piling pressure with Owen Michael and Joseph Omulama both coming close as the Homeboyz defence struggled to contain the hosts’ fast attacking play.

The visitors slowly settled into the match and created chances of their own through Peter Thiong’o, Oliver Majaka and Moses Mudavadi, but goalkeeper Wilson Mwangi remained alert between the posts for Seal.

Waithera looked dangerous throughout the first half and nearly scored from a long-range set piece before finally breaking the deadlock seven minutes before halftime.

Mwangi launched a quick ball forward that found Waithera, who brilliantly skipped past his marker before firing a powerful left-footed strike beyond goalkeeper Brian Odhiambo to give Murang’a Seal a deserved 1-0 lead.

The hosts nearly doubled their advantage before the break, but Waithera’s effort drifted wide as Seal carried a slim lead into halftime.

Homeboyz returned strongly in the second half and pushed hard for an equaliser. Boniface Onyango, Moses Shikanda and Estone Omengo all came close as the visitors intensified pressure on the hosts.

One of the biggest moments of the match came midway through the second half when Homeboyz almost levelled the score. After Wilson Mwangi made an important touch to stop Majaka’s chip, the rebound fell kindly to Shikanda whose looping effort seemed destined for the net before Dennis Munyovi produced a heroic goal-line clearance with a header to preserve Seal’s lead.

Murang’a Seal remained dangerous on the counterattack with Lucas Maina and Waithera continuing to trouble the Homeboyz defence, but the hosts could not find a second goal.

Homeboyz kept fighting until the final whistle, but Mudavadi’s late effort sailed over the crossbar as Murang’a Seal held on for an important victory.

The result dealt a major blow to Homeboyz’s hopes of finishing in the top three while Murang’a Seal moved a step closer to finishing the season strongly after finally ending their long winless streak.