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Kariobangi Sharks and Vihiga Bullets' woes continued as they suffered defeats on Wednesday afternoon.
Mathare United and Bidco United recorded victories over Kariobangi Sharks and Vihiga Bullets respectively in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) on Wednesday afternoon.
Mathare claimed the Slum Derby spoils as they edged out Kariobangi Sharks 2-1 at the Kasarani Annex Stadium.
Donald Ange opened the scoring after holding his nerve to convert a spot kick in the 29th minute to hand Mathare United a 1-0 lead.
Kariobangi Sharks managed to level matters through Mathew Kibiwot, who made it 1-1 just two minutes into the second half.
However, Daniel Otieno netted the winner in the 86th minute to give Mathare three crucial points, which lifted them to 16th position in the standings. At the same time, Kariobangi Sharks dropped to 13th place on the log.
Elsewhere, Henry Juma struck twice to give Bidco United a 3-0 win over Vihiga Bullets at the Mumias Sports Complex.
Ezekiel Okare scored the other goal from the spot as the Thika-based side moved to 10th with 19 points from 15 matches, while Vihiga remained bottom with four points from 13 games.
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At Kasarani Annex, Kariobangi Sharks tried to break the deadlock in the game's opening stages with former Wazito midfielder Tyson Otieno being deployed on the right flank.
However, the Mathare United defense which was marshaled by Fidel Otieno looked solid and organized.
The 2008 Premier League champions were also able to push forward as they looked for their second consecutive win in the league and they managed to take the lead from a spot kick.
The penalty was awarded for a clumsy foul from Timothy Ikhavi on striker Donald Ange.
The goal allowed the visitors to settle into a confident rhythm of play, and they enjoyed the majority of possession.
Sharks gradually found their footing in the game and the combination of Tyson Otieno and Julius Masaba nearly sent Kibiwot in the 38th minute but a combination of Joseph Odhiambo and Fidel Otieno denied the striker.
The score was 1-0 at half-time in the Slums Derby.
The hosts upped their game and leveled matters in the 47th minute when Fortune Omoto located Kibiwot upfront with a quickly taken free-kick. The youngster rounded Mathare goalkeeper Bernard Jairo before firing into the back of the empty net.
Mathare needed goalkeeper Jairo to make an excellent save in the 67th minute, diving sharply to his left to turn away a snapshot from Fortune Omotto which looked destined to nestle in the bottom corner of the net.
With the Sharks' defense exposed, the visitors scored the winner in the match's closing stages through the hard-working Daniel Otieno.
The midfielder headed in the ball from a throw-in by Brian Okeyo with two minutes left on the clock.
Mathare United caretaker coach Samuel Koko lauded his players for registering their third win of the season.
"It is a big improvement in terms of players' work rate as every player knows that we are down in the relegation zone.
We are capable of getting out of relegation as my players are now gelling very well. We now have to push and win every game," said Mathare United care-taker coach Samuel Koko.
On his part, Kariobangi Sharks assistant coach Edward Seda expressed great disappointment with his team's display against the Slum Boys.
"We will need to reorganize the team defensively. We have not won our three past matches, which is worrying, but we shall overcome.
We have some young talented players, with many of them having made their Premier League debuts this season, but they can win games," said Seda.
The teams will return to FKF Premier League action on Saturday, 18 February. Mathare United will be away to Tusker FC, while Kariobangi Sharks will face AFC Leopards at Nyayo National Stadium.
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