Deaf Today: Mathare Win With a Goal By Deaf Star

February 22, 2005

Mathare Win With a Goal By Deaf Star

From: AllAfrica.com - Africa - Feb 22, 2005

The Nation (Nairobi)
NEWS
February 22, 2005
Posted to the web February 22, 2005

By Hezekiah Wepukhulu
Nairobi

Just over six years ago Mathare United made history by becoming the first non-Premier League club in Kenya to win the Moi Golden Cup knock-out tournament at their second attempt.

Last Saturday they made history again by being the first club in Kenya and, probably in the world, to field a deaf player in a Premiership match.

The player himself, Frederick Ogalo, made history by crowning his memorable debut with a decisive goal in Mathare United's 3-2 win over bottom team Panpaper at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

With the score standing at 2-2 Ogalo was brought on in the 75th minute and immediately made his presence felt by notching a historic goal with only his second touch.

Mathare's win pushed them to fourth spot with 25 points.

But Mathare's joy was short-lived. Just a day later they met their match in Tusker who beat them 2-1 at Ruaraka. Tusker, Kenya's representatives in the African Champions League, had earlier suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Securicor at the same venue, but they still retained their second position in the Group "B" standings on 28 points.

After the Mathare match Tusker coach Dino Kitavi said: "After inexplicably losing to Securicor we did not want to slip up again."

Meanwhile, Mumias Sugar, the Group "A" leaders were, last week, awarded the maximum six points from their two abandoned matches against Shabana and Dubai Bank - and as a result they moved six points clear at the top.

Other beneficiaries from the National League and Competitions Committee decisions were Sony Sugar, Chemelil Sugar, Panpaper and Dubai Bank.

Sony were awarded their abandoned match against Securicor on a 2-0 basis. Chemelil were awarded their unplayed first-leg tie against Sher Agencies who, however, managed to hold them to a 1-1 draw in the return leg on Saturday.

Panpaper were awarded their home match against AP which was called off when they were leading 3-0. Red Berets were awarded their abandoned fixture against Panpaper while Dubai Bank were awarded three points against cash-strapped AFC Leopards who failed to honour the match in Mombasa.

Weekend results

Kangemi United 2 Ulinzi 2; Re-Union 0 KCB 1; Tusker 0 Securicor 1; World Hope 1 Panpaper 1; Mathare United 3 Panpaper 2; Chemelil Sugar 1 Sher Agencies 1; Gor Mahia 1 Ulinzi Stars 2; Sony Sugar 0 Sher Agencies 0; Red Berets 2 AP 1; Tusker 2 Mathare United 1.