- Gor Mahia beat AFC Leopards 1-0
- They completed a home and away sweep of their rivals
- They are now nine points clear top of the table
Gor Mahia head coach Jonathan McKinstry believes the weekend 1-0 win over arch rivals AFC Leopards in the Mashemeji Derby has put them at a strong position to retain their FKF Premier League title.
The victory at the Nyayo National Stadium puts K’Ogalo nine points clear of second placed Police FC and with seven rounds of matches left, they are just four wins away from clinching a record extending 21st league title.
McKinstry says the match was a big test to their title credentials, and they have now proved to be on the way to the crown, with the resilience they showed despite playing most of the game with a man down.
“The expectation for Gor Mahia is that we are favourites in every game. For us, there is always pressure to win every game. All three points are the same but this win in the Mashemeji Derby feels like the three points mean more especially in how it means to our fans and coming at the back end of the season where we are pushing hard to win the Championship,” McKinstry said after the game.
He added; “Every game has a story and today, it was one hell of a story with how well we played and how resilient we were especially playing with 10 men for majority of the game. We are thankful to the fans and now we need them as we go into the rest of the matches.”
Gor win courtesy of an Opiyo gaffe
Gor Mahia’s Shariff Musa in action during teh Mashemeji Derby
K’Ogalo won the duel 1-0, much thanks to a gaffe from AFC goalkeeper Levis Opiyo. Leopards head coach Thomas Trucha has refused to blame the shot stopper for the defeat.
“Yes it was a mistake, but mistakes are part of the game. I think if we had put away the chances we had, we wouldn’t be seeing so much of the mistake. We had a performance that we thought could have been better but we take the result and look to improve in the next game,” noted the coach.
Gor got their goal on the half hour mark, and it was their former player Austin Odhiambop who haunted them once again. Keeper Opiyo had tried to play out from the back pressed by Austin and Benson Omalla, and the former managed to block his pass into the net.
K’Ogalo managed to defend the goal, though they had to play 50 minutes of the game with 10 men after keeper Kevin Omondi was sent off for a last man foul.
Gor had a good start to the game and just five minutes in should have had a goal but Rooney Onyango and Omalla saw their chances go begging.
Onyango had made a daunting run on the right before laying the ball for Musa Masika, whose shot was blocked. The ball somehow trickled to Onyango who had completed his run inside the box, but his effort was saved by keeper Opiyo and the rebound headed wide by Omalla.
Gor with another chance to score
AFC Leopards midfielder Boniface Munyendo in action against Gor Mahia’s Austin Odhiambo
In the 18th minute they had another chance when Bryson Wangai played a quick one two with Shariff Musa on the left, but the former’s shot was saved by Opiyo.
They even came closer in the 25th minute when a defensive mishap in the AFC backline saw Austin Odhiambo pick the ball at the edge of the box but his low shot came off the base of the post.
However, Gor’s day almost turned to the worst when they were reduced to 10 men after keeper Omondi was red carded.
The shot stopper had sped off his line to cut out Victor Omune who had been sent through by Vincent Mahiga, but instead, fouled the forward.
Gor had to sacrifice an infield player and Musa Masika was substituted, his place taken by second choice keeper Caleb Omondi.
AFC’s closest chance at goal was at the stroke of 45 minutes when Clifton Miheso dived in for a header from a cross, but it flew straight into the keeper’s arms.
In the second half, AFC leopards piled in the pressure looking to make the most of their numerical advantage, but they couldn’t find an equalizer.
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