Revealed: Halftime talk that inspired Mathare United’s remarkable comeback against Tusker
Mathare United head coach John Kamau has revealed the message he passed to his men at halftime that saw the Slum Boys come from behind to stun former champions Tusker in a nerve-cracking FKF Premier League clash staged at Police Sacco Stadium on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
A double from substitute Dennis Okoth and a wonder goal from Isaac Omweri saw Mathare United come from behind to defeat Tusker FC 3-1 in Nairobi’s South C area.
Kamau thankful
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”To be honest, I really appreciate and thank God. We just had a game of two halves, and to be honest, for the first time, I believe in tactics, but for today, it was not about tactics; it was really tough. I just told them to go and improve their work ethic, because you could see the opponent had an easy time in picking the ball and building up,” he said after the match.
Tusker had taken an early lead in the first half through Eric Kapaito and looked closer to claiming the three points before the inspired changes late on turned the game on its head.
Okoth, introduced together with Harrison Amalemba at 55 minutes, brought much-needed energy in attack and on 69 minutes, much probing would pay off as the forward nodded home from close range a corner kick.
”We could not play like that. For me, the difference between the first and second half was work ethic. Body language and a positive mindset were my message, very simple.
Turning tables
A minute later, and John Kamau’s men would go 2-1 up thanks to a tenacious volley from Omweri, which rippled the net. Now with the lead, many would have thought that Mathare, who have had a stuttering campaign, would drop deep to try and protect their advantage. This would not be the case, as Amalemba and Mike Oduor, another late substitution, kept the Brewers’ defence busy.
This consistent pressure would yield the third goal with a minute to play of the 90 after Tusker keeper Brian Opondo parried a fierce drive from Oduor right onto the patch of Okoth for an easy finish. And thus the three points were secured in Mathare’s biggest win of the season thus far.
With the three points, the lads move up to 11th on the table with 25 points.
