Gor Mahia News

Those who were worried about Gor Mahia players losing their motivation or worried about a seemingly porous defence need not worry. Gor Mahia dismissed those fears with a clinical demolition of Sofapaka on Wedensday by a score of 2-0.

Ali Abondo confirmed his return to scoring form when he picked up a loose ball following Olunga’s header to plant the ball in the net in the 21st minute. Michael Olunga moved closer to the league top scorer slot when he found the back of the net in the 77th minute.

Gor Mahia dominated the early exchanges. Only three minutes into the match, Innocent Wafula’s effort was cleared off the line. Meddie Kagere and Karim Nizigiyimana had a field day operating on the flanks. The Sofapaka full back duo of Heritier Luvalu and Anthony Ndolo had no answer for them. Kagere came close to doubling the lead in the 35th minute when he latched onto a cross from Olunga but his effort went overboard.

Sofapaka came back a better side in the second half and even forced a penalty in the 61st minute when Boniface Oluoch in the Kogalo goal was adjudged to have fouled a Sofapaka player. But Oluoch stifled Sofapaka when he punched John Baraza’s corner out.

The marauding Kagere was at it again in the 77th minute when he picked up a through ball from Nizigiyimana but his attempt was blocked by Sofapaka custodian David Okello. Olunga latched onto the loose ball to score. Olunga now has 16 goals but still four behind Jesse Were in the league scorers chart.

Coach Frank Nuttall has moved to assuage fans concerns about the fact that Gor Mahia has been conceding more goals than usual. In the Kenya Premier League, Gor Mahia has a stellar defensive record, conceding only 12 goals in 26 matches. However in the last few matches, Gor Mahia has conceded more goals than usual. Against Palos on Wednesday, Gor Mahia conceded two goals. They conceded a similar number against Ushuru FC in the previous round.

Coach Frank Nuttall explains it by saying that the team is now more focused on entertaining the fans by attacking with abandon.

“The game was good we had possession and made use of the chances we had for the goals which are the main goal in such kind of a competition. “We were not to come here and keep a clean sheet so we headed out to try and score goals and when that happens sometimes that happens that you concede goals,” he said. to supersport.com

Note also that Gor Mahia were playing without dependable defenders Karim Nizigiyimana and Abouba Sibomana.

Gor Mahia will need to shore up their defence when they face Tusker this Sunday in the KPL Top 8 semis first leg. It was Tusker who eliminated Gor Mahia last season and Gor Mahia will be going for nothing short of revenge. Tusker have heard a poor season, including their recent elimination from the GoTV shield by second tier team Nzoia FC. That loss caused the departure of coach Francis Kimanzi. New coach Leonard Odipo will be eager to make a good impression when he coaches his first game against Gor Mahia.

But Gor Mahia will be in no mood to compromise as they pursue a title they have not won since 2011. Not to mention the fact that Kogalo are eager to keep their unbeaten record intact.

Gor Mahia beat Palos FC of Kisumu 4-2 to keep their hopes of 4 titles alive. It was an entertaining match in which Palos FC of Kisumu gave a good account of themselves. Notable for Palos was Calvince Omanga who scored twice.

For Gor Mahia, Ali Hassan Abondo was oustanding, scoring two goals against his former side. His first goal came mere minutes into the match when he latched onto a flick from Michael Olunga to wrong-foot Palos goalkeeper Geoffrey Were. Palos soon equalized when Omanga picked up a pass from Bernard Ochieng before beating Jerim Onyango with a groundshot.

Player of the month, Meddie Kagere played a key role in the second goal, leading the counter attack before releasing Michael Olunga to score an easy goal.  Ali Abondo netted his second on resumption when he picked up a pass from Ernest Wendo.

Omanga was on hand to reduce the arrears when he tapped in a cross. Harun Shakava then sealed the score when he converted a cross from Ali Abono in the 75th minute.

Gor Mahia aces Boniface Oluoch and Michael Olunga were in the frame when Harambee stars were held to an uninspiring score-less draw by Mauritius. Also in the frame was former Gor Mahia defender David Owino “Calabar”.

The Stars were expected to win comfortably after they had won the away leg 5-2. Not to mention the fact that Mauritius are ranked at number 168 in the FIFA rankings and have a population of only 1.3 million. Mauritius were not impressive either except for their goalkeeper Jean Louis who kept stars at bay bolstered by dogged defending from their backline which they packed.

Kenya created numerous chances but were guilty of missing several chances. Michael Olunga missed two gilt edged chances in the first half. On both occassions he sent timid shots on goal. Midfielder Eric Johanah Omondi, making his national team debut, was impressive and it was he who put Olunga through for one of his chances. Kogalo should consider bringing him into the fold.

Kevin Amwayi who partnered with Olunga upfront was ineffective. And after sending a glorious chance over the bar in the 70th minute, the fans started to agitate for Allan Wanga to replace him. Coach Williamson finally obliged and brought on Wanga.

Gor Mahia goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch was rarely called upon to act. However when he was called upon, he acquited himself well, saving a one on one situation, denying Mauritius Striker Kevin Bru who had beaten the stars defense on a counter attack.

Cape Verde will be a tall order

Coach Bobby Williamson has yet to record an impressive performance since he took over as coach, leaving many wondering how his Ksh 2.5 million per month salary is justified. Kenya will have to pull up their socks significantly when the play Cape Verde, a team that has improved dramatically since they lost to Kenya in 2003. Cape Verde are currently ranked at number 41 in the FIFA rankings, which is 90 places ahead of Kenya at number 131. Virtually their entire squad plays in Europe. The first leg will be on November 19.

Starting Eleven
Boniface Oluoch, Edwin Wafula, Dennis Odhiambo, David Owino, Brian Mandela, Victor Wanyama, Johannah Omollo, Ayub Timbe, Kevin Amwayi, Eric Johannah and Michael Olunga.

Substitutes

David Okello, Musa Mohammed, Abdulatiff Omar, Allan Wanga, David Ochieng, Teddy Akumu and Harun Shakava.