Gor Mahia edge past Shabana
Alpha Onyango was the hero as record SportPesa League champions Gor Mahia silenced troubled Shabana 2-1 in a league clash that took place at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Onyango’s 80th minute header was enough to extend Gor Mahia’s lead at the top of the table to a mammoth 10 points, albeit having played a game more than sworn rivals AFC Leopards, who will face Tusker at the same venue on Sunday.
First Half
Shabana were the first to take initiative, threatening as early as the second minute when Brian Michira isolated Paul Ochuoga in a oñe vs one situation before unleashing a right footed shot that hit the side netting.
Shabana continued looking the likely of the two sides to break the duck, and in the 13th minute, Dalphine Omuri attempted a shot that forced Gad Mathews of Gor Mahia into a fine stop in the 13th minute.
Shabana continued to threaten but could not find a way to score first, and in the 27th minute, they were made to pay for their profligacy. Jackson Dwang opened the scoring with a goal out of the very top drawer.
Ghanaian forward Ebenezer Adu-Kwawu received the ball near the halfway line and dribbled his way into the box, before setting up Dwang, who nonchalantly side-stepped Mark Okola before sending one into the bottom corner of the net.
Their lead would not last long, as in the 27th minute, a misheaded clearance by Gor left back Bryton Onyona allowed Shabana’s Wycliffe Awiko to score the equaliser.
In the 31st minute, Gor Mahia winger Shariff Musa got on the end of a good cross by Ochuoga by hitting it first time, forcing keeper Steven Ochieng into parrying it away for a corner.
The game continued with its end to end nature, exciting the spectators present, and in the 41st minute, Keith Imbali attempted a shot from distance for Shabana that went just wide of Gad Mathews’ net. ‘
Shortly afterward, Ochieng would deny Musa yet again after a Samuel Kapen cross found the former Kariobangi Sharks man, who attempted a spectacular diving header that couldn’t go in.
Second Half
The game started in a more edgy manner in the opening few minutes of the second half, but just like with the opening half, it was Shabana who would test Mathews’ nerve. After a moment of sustained pressure from a set piece situation, Okola’s shot went agonisingly over the bar.
In the 58th minute, Brian Michira attempted another shot after cutting inside from the left wing that zipped just wide of Gad Mathews post.
It looked as if both sides would be content sharing the spoils, but in the 80th minute, Gor Mahia’s Alpha Onyango rose highest from a corner kick well delivered by Dwang and headed it home to restore their lead, which sent their fans into delirium.
Alpha Onyango gets on the end of a Jackson Dwang corner to restore Gor Mahia’s lead in the 80th minute, a goal enough to give them a 2-1 win and all the points in the end.
Other Results – Police Overcome KCB
The result now means Gor Mahia sit first on 56 points, 10 ahead of second placed AFC Leopards, who have a game in hand.
In another Saturday FKF Premier League clash , Sofapaka drew the spoils with Bidco United, with both sides settling for a 0-0 draw. Likewise, Mara Sugar had to contend with a stalemate during their clash against APS Bomet.
At the Police Sacco Stadium, Kenya Police overcame KCB 2-1, with goals from Yvess Koitama and Jacques Bowamba Ndecket enough to overcome the Bankers, whose solitary goal came from Richard Omondi.
