Onyango Rocket Lifts Gor Mahia Back To Summit As Mathare Edge Sofapaka
Alpha Onyango’s thunderous strike fired Gor Mahia back to winning ways and top of the FKF Premier League table, while Mathare United continued their steady rise with a narrow victory over Sofapaka in midweek action.
Gor Mahia ended a tense three match winless run by grinding out a 1-0 victory over Kakamega Homeboyz at Kasarani Stadium, a result that eased pressure on coach Charles Akonnor and restored the champions to the top of the table.
K’Ogalo entered the contest under scrutiny after a difficult spell that included defeats to APS Bomet and AFC Leopards, as well as a goalless draw against Bandari. The nerves were evident early on and they were fortunate not to fall behind inside the opening minute when Kevin Amwayi rattled the post with a fierce volley.
Gor Mahia responded positively and began to assert themselves. Shariff Musa nearly opened the scoring moments later after bursting down the right and picking out Felix Oluoch, but Homeboyz goalkeeper Simon Masaka reacted quickly to smother the danger.
The breakthrough arrived in the 18th minute and it was worth the wait. A partially cleared set piece dropped kindly outside the box to Alpha Onyango, who unleashed a low, driven effort through a crowd of players and beyond Masaka to score his first goal of the season in emphatic fashion.
The champions pushed for a second before the break and came close in the 27th minute when Masaka produced a fine save to deny Ebenezer Adu-Kwaw from point blank range, ensuring the score remained 1-0 at half time.
Gor Mahia continued to create chances after the restart but wastefulness kept Homeboyz in the contest. Musa was denied one on one in the 61st minute after being played through by Oluoch, while Oluoch himself headed just over the bar five minutes later when unmarked at the back post.
Homeboyz offered little threat in the second half, their best chance falling to Hillary Otieno whose long range effort was comfortably gathered by Byrne Omondi. Gor Mahia saw out the closing stages professionally to secure a vital three points.
The win sends K’Ogalo top of the league with 23 points from 12 matches, two clear of KCB and with a game in hand. It also calms unrest around Akonnor, whose side now appear back on track after a testing period.
In other midweek fixtures, Mathare United boosted their survival push with a hard fought 1-0 win over Sofapaka. After a goalless first half, Dennis Okoth struck in the 58th minute to seal the points and move the Slum Boys into tenth place on 18 points from 14 matches. Sofapaka remain among the strugglers after another frustrating afternoon.
Earlier, Kevin Otiende’s 10th minute goal handed Nairobi United a surprise victory over Tusker FC. Despite the win, United sit 11th with 16 points from 10 games, having played fewer matches than most sides, while Tusker dropped to fourth with 21 points from 14 outings.
Elsewhere at Gusii Stadium, Shabana and Mara Sugar played out a goalless draw that left Shabana seventh and Mara Sugar ninth, neither side able to find a cutting edge on the day.
