In the 12th minute, Wazito threatened but were denied by a quick and superb save by Humphrey Katasi, who stopped Boniface Omondi’s strike.
Katasi made another save in the 26th minute when he reacted quickly to stop Michael Owino’s header.
The visiting goalkeeper had a tough time in the latter stages of the first half as he was also needed to deny Wazito in the 30th minute when Musa Masika tried to find the top corner with a swinging strike from outside the penalty area.
Owino’’s header in the 39th minute hit the woodwork and Nzoia Sugar survived from conceding an opener as Wazito attacked from all angles.
Goal. For me, age is not important but the quality of the player. Even if you are a 16-year-old but with quality, I will play you. For me, the most important thing is the quality of the player.
[Against Mathare], I gave an opportunity to [Alphonse Onyango]. He came, played well, and scored. It is good to give the upcoming players an opportunity to play because it will give them confidence and I believe they will be better in the future.
The Portuguese tactician hopes to have some new players to improve the team but has promised to work with the available ones if his wish is not granted.
“Even though Gor Mahia have started the season badly, they are still a difficult team to get the better of and we must be at our utmost best if we are to do that,” Otieno was quoted by the club’s
Facebook page as saying.
“Even more now that they have a new coach. We must work as a team from the first whistle until the last. We didn’t start the season on the right footing last weekend against Sofapaka so we have to make amends and avoid at all costs another disappointing result.”
Otieno scored his first goal for Mathare United against Gor Mahia in November 2019 and was also on target against Batoto ba Mungu during the Wundanyi loss. Van Persie, as he is known, has seven goals for the 2008 Premier League champions and the 2020/21 season is his second with the Eastlands club.
“It was a difficult match given everything that has happened in the lead-up to our first game of the season and I cannot fault my players for the loss. They gave everything and as a coach that is what you want.”
The tactician said it would not be enough to judge Mathare United solely on the margin of loss since they had brilliant moments on the pitch against the 2009 Premier League champions.
“The scoreline looks as if we were played off the pitch but that just wasn’t the case,” the tactician added.
“We caused Sofapaka plenty of problems going forward, especially in the second half and we were almost close to sealing an incredible comeback with the score at 3-2, but sadly it never quite happened.”