John Kamau reveals what powered Mathare United to slim win over KCB
By Joel Masibo, September 27, 2025Mathare United head coach John Kamau has linked the Kenyan Premier League side’s slim 1-0 victory over KCB on Friday, September 26, 2025, at the Kasarani Annexe to mental toughness.
The tactician also expressed satisfaction in the manner in which the Slum Boys bounced back after losing their opening fixture to Posta on Monday, September 22, 2025, at the same venue. He pointed out Friday’s resilience as part of the reason the 2008 league winners managed to snatch all three points from the Bankers.
”First of all, I’m happy with them; we had only two days, unlike our opponents, who had seven days to work on the game. I am also happy because in most scenarios we had to use the videos; through the video analysis, we were able to give them the concept of the game and apply it to the latter. So the most important,” Kamau noted.
”Also, the mental toughness – the last game we lost here against the Rangers, we were up and running until the second half. I am happy because we addressed the mistakes in that game,” John Kamau said.
Important win
Captain Elli Asieche led from the front, his first-half goal ultimately proving decisive in the Slum Boys’ second outing of the season.
Asieche curled a free kick past KCB custodian Boniface Munyasia in the 43rd minute to secure Mathare United’s first win of the campaign and his second goal of the season.
Kamau was also full of praise for his captain, Asieche, for the all-important goal and his role in the team’s frontline; ”Eli Asieche’s runs give us a numerical advantage when attacking. Playing him as a false 9, I think we are getting something out of it,” John Kamau stressed.
Before the fixture, John Kamau had warned his charges against the threat that Robert Matano’s side poses ahead of the 3 pm kickoff. John Kamau had talked up the encounter and expected a direct approach from the bankers, whom he felt had already gelled together after an extensive off-season.