Mathare United players celebrate during a previous match/ HANDOUT Mathare United head coach John Kamau says his side’s renewed structure and discipline will be decisive when they face Nairobi United on Thursday, insisting the squad has finally “found its rhythm” ahead of a fixture he believes could redefine their season.
It is a contest carrying very different pressures. Mathare, 16th on the table with 11 points from 10 matches, are once again navigating the relegation margins, while Nairobi United — sitting mid-table and four league fixtures behind schedule — are still recovering from the physical and tactical demands of back-to-back CAF Confederation Cup defeats.
Kamau, who has spent recent weeks tightening his team’s defensive discipline and improving their organisation in possession, struck a tone of cautious confidence.
“We have trained well, and we feel prepared,” he said. “This team has shown improvement. We are not a side that should be sitting where we are on the log. The challenge now is to translate what we do in training into decisive moments on the pitch.” He accepts that the margin for error is shrinking.
“The situation is not comfortable,” he said. “Being 16th is a reminder that we must take responsibility. But the spirit has changed. The players know exactly what is at stake, and they are ready to respond.”
Meanwhile, Nairobi United head coach Nicholas Muyoti has been forced to balance recovery with rebuilding. His side’s continental outings — a 3–0 defeat to Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca followed by a 1–0 loss to AS Maniema Union of the DRC — left them fatigued and briefly unsettled.
But Muyoti dismissed the suggestion that his team are now vulnerable. “The boys have returned with determination,” he said. “Yes, the results were difficult, but they gave us clarity on what must be fixed. We have corrected our mistakes, and we want to make a strong statement in the league.”
Back in the Mathare camp, Kamau says Thursday’s match will hinge on intensity and concentration, qualities he believes his players have embraced. “We need to play with total commitment,” he said.
“This is not a match where you switch off for one second. Our pressing has to be sharp. Our defence has to be compact. And in attack, we must be decisive.”
He identified goal conversion as a crucial area of improvement. “We create chances, but we have to be more ruthless,” he said. “I have told the players: in matches like this, you may only get two opportunities. You must take them.”
Muyoti, on the other hand, is leaning on structure and ball circulation to carry his side through. “Our football depends on controlling the rhythm,” he said. “Mathare are dangerous when allowed to build momentum, so we intend to dictate the tempo. If we keep the ball well, we will create chances.”
He also rejected concerns that fatigue might blunt his side. “It cannot be an excuse,” he said. “We knew the continental schedule would be tough. What matters is how we respond. The players are focused, they have energy, and they have ambition.” Kamau, who is guiding a youthful and fluctuating squad, believes leadership will be vital.
“Some of the senior players have stepped up,” he said. “They are guiding the younger players, especially in high-pressure situations. This is what we need — calm leadership and brave decision-making.” Muyoti, who has integrated several young talents into his line-up this season, believes Nairobi United’s depth will be pivotal.
“We have players returning from continental duty who are hungry to show their quality,” he said. “They want to respond to the setbacks with courage and clarity.” As the match approaches, both coaches acknowledge that small margins may decide the contest. Kamau describes it as “a survival match” for Mathare.
“Three points here can shift the energy of the entire dressing room,” he said. “It can give us momentum and release some of the pressure.” Muyoti views the encounter differently — as a chance to rebuild and reset. “We want to re-establish our rhythm,” he said.
“This match allows us to reset our league campaign and build forward.” Both managers agree that the tactical battle will be shaped by two contrasting philosophies: Mathare’s compact, high-energy game versus Nairobi United’s rhythm-based, possession-heavy approach.
“There will be no easy spaces,” Kamau said. “We must manage their pace intelligently.” Muyoti expects a tight, tactical contest. “It will be a match decided by intelligence, courage, and discipline,” he said. “Both teams want the win, but we believe we have enough to get the result.”
