Mathare United finally broke their winless streak in the 2024/25 FKF Premier League season, claiming a narrow but crucial 1-0 victory over Bidco United at the Dandora Stadium. The win marked a turning point for the Slum Boys, who had struggled to find form since their return to the top flight, recording two losses and two draws in their first four matches. The victory not only gave them their first three points of the season but also provided a morale boost for the squad as they look to regain their footing in the league.
The match started with both teams looking eager to make an impact. Bidco United, still searching for their first win of the season, were quick to test Mathare’s defense. In the 6th minute, Bidco forward Chris Opondo found himself with a chance inside the box, but his effort could only find the side netting, sending a wave of relief through the Mathare fans. Despite the early scare, Mathare quickly gained control of the match.
In the 24th minute, Mathare United broke the deadlock. A well-delivered corner caused chaos in Bidco’s penalty area, and the visitors failed to clear their lines. The ball fell to new signing Chris Koloti, who pounced on the opportunity and blasted it into the back of the net to put Mathare ahead. It was a moment of magic for Koloti, who scored his first goal for the club in a crucial match. His instinctive finish sparked celebrations on the pitch and in the stands as Mathare United took a 1-0 lead.
The goal energized Mathare, and they began to play with more confidence. Kevin Kimani nearly doubled the advantage just before halftime with a brilliantly struck free kick in the 45th minute. His curling effort beat the Bidco wall but rattled the crossbar, denying Mathare a second goal. As the teams went into the break, the score remained 1-0 in favor of Mathare, though the hosts knew that Bidco would come out fighting in the second half.
The second half saw a shift in momentum as Bidco United came out with renewed energy and determination. With the deficit to overcome, they began to dominate possession and press Mathare’s defense. Bidco were relentless in their pursuit of an equalizer, and in the 57th minute, they came close. A swift counterattack saw Bidco United Foward Ndung’u find space inside the box, but Mathare’s full back Erickson Mulu made a heroic block to deny him a clear shot on goal. Mulu’s timely intervention was crucial in keeping Mathare’s lead intact.
Bidco continued to pile on the pressure, creating several half-chances, but Mathare’s defense stood firm. The Slum Boys were well-organized at the back, with Mulu and his defensive partners clearing everything that came their way. Despite Bidco’s efforts, they struggled to find a way through Mathare’s resolute defense.
As Bidco pushed forward in search of a goal, they left themselves vulnerable at the back. However, despite their attempts to catch Bidco on the break, Mathare couldn’t add to their lead. The match remained on a knife edge, with both teams fighting for control of the midfield and every inch of space.
As the clock ticked down, Bidco United grew increasingly frustrated with their inability to break down Mathare’s defense. The home side’s commitment to protecting their lead paid off, and as the final whistle blew, Mathare United secured their first win of the season—a hard-fought 1-0 victory that gave them a much-needed three points.
Mathare United head coach John Kamau was full of praise for his players after the match.
“The boys played their hearts out, and I’m proud of them. They’ve done really well. I’ll give them 24 hours to celebrate this hard-fought win before we get back to training for the midweek fixture,” Kamau said. His satisfaction with the team’s performance was clear, as they had shown resilience and determination in holding off a determined Bidco side.
Chris Koloti, the match-winner, was equally elated after scoring his first league goal for Mathare United.
“It’s a great feeling to score my first league goal, and it’s even better that it came at a time when we needed it most. I’m grateful to God and my teammates for their support,” Koloti said.
The win lifts Mathare United to five points from their first five matches, and they’ll be eager to build on this result in their next match, a midweek fixture against Kenya Police FC. Having secured their first victory, Mathare will now be focused on stringing together positive results to climb the league table and avoid being drawn into a relegation battle.
For Bidco United, the search for a win continues. They have now gone five matches without a victory, with two losses and three draws. Coach Anthony Akhulia,who is currently in Tanzania with the national team,will need to address his team’s lack of cutting edge in attack, as their inability to convert chances into goals is becoming a concern. Despite their defensive solidity, Bidco has struggled to find the back of the net consistently, and they will need to turn their fortunes around quickly if they are to avoid slipping further down the standings.
Mathare United’s 1-0 win over Bidco United was a significant result for a team looking to regain their confidence and climb the FKF Premier League standings. With Koloti’s decisive goal and a strong defensive performance from Mulu, Mukok and the backline, Mathare showed they have the resilience and quality to compete at the highest level. As both teams look ahead to their upcoming fixtures, Mathare will aim to build momentum, while Bidco United will hope to finally secure their first win of the campaign.