The Sugar Millers would have moved within five points of the leading duo of Murang'a Seal and Shabana with a victory in Awendo.
SS Assad came from behind to beat Mara Sugar 2-1 in a National Super League (NSL) match played at Awendo Green Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Despite the win, Assad remained 13th on the league standings while Mara remained stagnant in the third spot on the log with three matches remaining to the end of the season.
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The traveling outfit asserted themselves in the opposition's half in the first five minutes and carved out a couple of goal-scoring opportunities.
As the dust settled, Mara Sugar saw more of the ball after the 10th minute mark but were unable to make a way in the Assad half.
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The visitors had a chance to break the deadlock in the 25th minute with Beja Nyamawi's well-timed volley summoning Eliud Emase to make a telling save.
Mara Sugar looked threatening from set-piece situations, which gave the visitors' goalkeeper work to do inside the penalty area.
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The Sugar Millers continued with their attacks and they found the opening goal in the 32nd-minute courtesy of Mohamed Baraza.
Nyamawi, who was creating problems for Mara's backline, tried his luck again from range after beating his marker, and this time his attempt went wide off the target, and the score was 1-0 at halftime.
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The Simbas got off to a flyer in the second half and put Mara Sugar on the back foot with a couple of goal attempts.
And with the wind in their sails, Assad found an equalizer in the 50th minute courtesy of Bockins Adeya.
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Briefly, after the hour mark, Eric Otieno was presented with one of the best chances of the match as his right-footed shot inside the area skyrocketed over the bar after staring into an open net.
The momentum was again with SS Assad, and they managed to make a comeback in the 66th-minute courtesy of red-hot striker Beja Nyamawi.
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SS Assad's goalkeeper was called into action by Robert Obaga's goal-bound effort, and he made a decent save before making another good save from Dennis Maruti's effort.
Mara Sugar applied some pressure on the visitors in search of an equalizer in what remained of the match, but SS Assad were able to hold out and secure a 2-1 triumph.
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How they lined up:
Mara Sugar: Eliud Mase, Arnold Akafwale, Eric Otieno, Drona Langa, Eric Ng'iela, Dennis Maruti, David Owino, Broach Ochieng, Philemon Nyakwaka, Mohamed Baraza, Victor Ngume