Gor Mahia stormed to the top of the FKF Premier League standings after beating Sofapaka by a solitary goal at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani.
Burundian international Jules Ulimwengu scored the lone goal as K’Ogalo picked their fourth win in a row to move to 12 points, two ahead of second placed Nairobi City Stars who played to a 1-1 draw with Posta Rangers in the other league fixture.
Gor Mahia have been on an emphatic start to the season and have conceded only one goal in four matches, a huge contrast to how they started the campaign last season.
“I am really happy with the boys and how we played. We controlled the first half really well and we should have gone to the break at least two up. We let them control the tempo and the pace of the game in the second half which was not really good for us,” said Mark Harrison, the Gor Mahia head coach.
He added; “But we managed to see off the game and pick another three points which was really important for us. We keep moving and we keep improving.”
Meanwhile his opposite number Ken Odhiambo was dejected with his side’s failure to use their chances.
“We lacked the necessary composure infront of goal because I believe we played really well and created the chances. If we were more relaxed in the game, I believe we should have picked something here. But this is a new team and we are still gelling together. In the next few matches, I believe we will be a solid outfit,” said the tactician.
Gor Mahia had control of the proceedings in the opening half and Ulimwengu shot them into the lead when he picked up a superb defense splitting pass from Austine Odhiambo before shooting low past the keeper.
Gor Mahia’s Peter Lwasa against Sofapaka’s David Nshimirimana. PHOTO/Sofapaka FC
A defensive mishap in the Sofapaka backline almost saw Gor go two up when keeper Kevin Omondi collided with his defender Elvis Ronack as they went for a cross from Yusuf Mainge, but luckily there was no Gor shirt to take advantage.
Sofapaka almost grabbed the equalizer off a counter attack, but they were denied by the crossbar when David King’atua took a rasping shot at goal. The rebound was circulated to him once again but he shot over from his weaker right foot.
In the second half, Batoto ba Mungu came off stronger and their best chance fell on Robert Karisa who saw his well angled header saved by keeper Adama Keita off an Alex Imbusia cross from the left.
Gor Mahia’s Dennis Ng’ang’a attempts to stop Sofapaka’s Lawrence Juma. PHOTO/Sofapaka FC
Elsewhere, last season’s runners up KCB picked their second win of the season with a 2-1 victory over newly promoted Kenya Police FC. Henry Onyango scored the winner for the bankers after John Mark Makwatta’s penalty, his second goal of the season had cancelled off James Mazembe’s goal.
KCB boss Zedekiah Otieno was pleased with the win, saying it has motivated his boys after a tough start to the season.
“It was a very tough encounter playing against a really experienced Police side. We gave everything and I am pleased we won and going forward we should maintain the same focus and the same concentration. We were second last season and now the only thing we can do is improve and that means going for the title,” Otieno, who was playing against his former coach John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla said.
The Police tactician rued missed chances and defensive mistakes for his side’s loss.
“Football is a game of chances and mistakes. We played well but we were punished for our mistakes. Both goals have come from fullback positions and we must work to strengthen that area. We have to keep improving as a team,” said Ogolla.
The bankers got into an early lead when Mazembe took advantage of a weak punch by the keeper to tap the ball home from close range. The visitors came close to equalizing minutes later but Clifton Miheso’s freekick was well saved by keeper Gabrial Andika.
Police however equalized from the spot later when Makwatta sent the ball into the bottom right.
But in the second half, KCB fought to get their lead back and they did so when Onyango slapped a first time ball home from inside the box off a well driven Mike Oduor cross.
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