Gor Mahia edge Nzoia United 1-0
Kevin Omondi “Ade” scored the crucial goal as Kogalo beat Nzoia United to consolidate their lead atop the 2018 Kenya Premier League standings. Gor Mahia now have 16 points from 6 matches.
Additional Reporting from Capital FM
Captain of the day Kevin ‘Ade’ Omondi struck the only goal of the match as a second string Gor Mahia side created a five-point gap on top of the Kenyan Premier League standings with a 1-0 win over Nzoia Sugar in Machakos on Sunday.
Gor would have wound up the game at 2-0, but Wesley Onguso’s re-taken second half penalty was saved by keeper Benson Mangala with 10 minutes left on the clock.
The reigning champions ensured they remain unbeaten this season after six matches, moving to 16 points after five wins and a draw.
Gor Mahia boss Dylan Kerr once again stood by his word to rotate his squad, basing they played a tough CAF Champions League tie against Esperance on Wednesday and the return leg beckoning next weekend.
From the team that played against the Tunisian giants, Only Joachim Oluoch retained his place in the starting team, but he was pulled in centrally to partner Charles Momanyi in defense. Omondi was handed the skipper’s armband and the play-making role just behind main striker Ephraim Guikan.
Midfielder Bernard Ondieki was fielded in an unfamiliar right back role with Lawrence Juma parading in midfield against his former employers, partnering Cersidy Okeyo.
Nzoia came into the match knowing they stood a chance against Gor’s hugely rotated squad but their biggest undoing was that they were to quick in going forward and their decision making wasn’t the best.
Gor had the first chance of the game after eight minutes and it sure was a decent one, Guikan finding some shooting space on the left but his ferocious shot came off the crossbar and was scrambled off for a corner by Nzoia.
Shabaan Odhoji starting in goal for K’Ogalo ahead of the rested Boniface Oluoch proved why he is a contender for the number one gloves at the club with a great point blank save to deny Elvis Rupia at point blank after the forward had raced to meet a George Mutimba cross from the right.
Nzoia were grown in confidence especially after winning many balls off Gor in the middle of the pack.
David Odhiambo had two back to back decent chances for Nzoia, first in the 35th minute cutting into his favorite left foot from the right side, slicing in a decent rocket from almost 30 yards out but it went over.
Two minutes later, he forced an uncomfortable save off Odhoji with a shot from distance in the 35th minute after he noticed the keeper metres off his line.
For their missed chances, the Bungoma-based club paid the ultimate price.
Skipper of the day Omondi broke the deadlock four minutes to the break with a brilliant first time curling effort after Boniface Omondi had created some space on the right before laying the ball for his skipper to slam home.
In the second half, the attacking flow of each side didn’t stop. Nzoia had an opportunity with a shot from distance but it went wide five minutes after the restart.
Gor should have been two up in the 55th minute when Guikan picked up a long ball from Oluoch, rounded keeper Benson Mangaala but Festus Okiring made a superb sliding block a few inches off the line.
Winning is our lifestyle whether first or second team.Congratulations boys keep the fire burning, forward ever backward never.
When are we going to see our beloved Kogalo in Nairobi?
Thanks boys, you won three important points. I hope am allowed to dream, a repeat of unbeaten run of 2016? Why not if a second string team can wrestle three points in the that manner.
Not sure what tactical formation we played today ( players were running all over the pitch) as we are increasingly getting tired of local ‘routine’ wins’ . Nevertheless congrats for the win….but it will count to nothing if we dont beat esperance and conquer Africa in 2018
Well put, however Esperance return match will either qualify us for CAF CL group stage or be invaluable preparation for Confed Cup group stage playoffs. We may prove too strong on the local front hence the real challenge is CAF soccer. But did Mieno play?
KPL teams are a scum;they can’t offer Gor any challenge.Meanwhile we have the armo to down Esperance. Did you all see how we opened their defence meaning if all they came yo do was defend their backline will be annihilated in Tunis
Am happy for the win but not much in play…. the second string should be fighting for the 11 top spots buh theirs is quality in the team with out a doubt am yearning for the game on Friday rest was key to the players… key highlights of the match was line up and score…finally we got to at least draw in the worst scenario at tunis… travel on tuesday acclamatise then kill the game on Friday go kogalo…go gor mahia
I know many will disagree, bt I think its time AR stamps his foot and tell the coach and the players that kind of football displayed today is not in Kogalo’s genes.Why should the players/coach earn thousands and play the kind of football we play in the neighborhood. Surely if this is the case, I also have a chance in our 2nd 11, si ni Ku control tu na kupura.My MOTM was Boni.Ade is letting the coach down after praising him so much,remove your star mentality and play soccer bado hujafika.The partnership of chalo & oluoch is so weak, nobody is commanding the defence,they follow the ball after playing,(especially oluoch), they do not balance & maintain their positions,they do not call on their midfielders when out of position.In fact an opposing no10 or strikers who is intelligent can humiliate the duo.I just wonder is Sam/Onguso a national team material, the jury still out.Though has shown potential I think akina jasego walituingiza na Guikan, he seems to be player with a long time injury.3 valuable points bt ????
CONGRATULATIONS JACOB GHOST MULEE FOR THIS GESTURE……THANK YOU
Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee saved the day for Nakumatt after players refused to face Chemelil on empty stomachs.
The shoppers were set to face the sugar millers at Kenyatta Stadium, but the playing unit said there was no way they could play hungry. It took the intervention of ‘Ghost’ to help the situation, in a match that ended 4-1 in Chemelil’s favour.
The former Tusker FC and Harambee Stars coach dished out Sh18, 000 to the players, and after that they took to the pitch.
According to coach Anthony Mwangi, things are getting even thick at the club. “We have not been paid for as long as I can remember, most of the time players receive about Sh500 to cater for their transport.
Nakumat will eventually be relagated for not honouring 3 consecutive matches if they don’t get a sponsorright now. How safe are they when the management cannot afford even bus fare for the players??!!
I know many will disagree, bt I think its time AR stamps his foot down & tell the coach/players in no uncertain terms that the kind of football displayed 2day is not in Kogalos genes. Why pay them 1000″ s & display neighborhood football, in this case I think I can have a chance in our 2nd 11, si ni kucontrol na kupura.My MOTM was Boni.The partnership of Charlo & Oluoch is so Weak, None of them is commanding the defence, they follow the ball after playing (especially oluoch),their balancing and position is wanting, nobody calls on the mid whenever they out of position.In fact a clever opposing No 10 or striker can really humiliate that partnetship.Is Onguso/Sam really a national team material leave alone GM, the jury still out there.Guikan has shown a lot of potential bt I think hapa, akina jasego walitu’ingiza, he seems to be carrying a long time injury.Ade is letting the coach down, after prasing him so much,how I wish he could play serious football ,awache u’star mentality, He is not yet a star.Am surprised at how the Tusker duo are struggling in GM??.Lawi, i hope soon will be in the 1st 11.3 valuable pts bt today we were absent.Aluta Continua.Joash critics I hope you are comparing notes.
I know many will disagree, bt I think its time AR stamps his foot down & tell the coach/players in no uncertain terms that the kind of football displayed 2day is not in Kogalos genes. Why pay them 1000″ s & display neighborhood football, in this case I think I can have a chance in our 2nd 11, si ni kucontrol na kupura.My MOTM was Boni.The partnership of Charlo & Oluoch is so Weak, None of them is commanding the defence, they follow the ball after playing (especially oluoch),their balancing and position is wanting, nobody calls on the mid whenever they out of position.In fact a clever opposing No 10 or striker can really humiliate that partnetship.Is Onguso/Sam really a national team material leave alone GM, the jury still out there.Guikan has shown a lot of potential bt I think hapa, akina jasego walitu’ingiza, he seems to be carrying a long time injury.Ade is letting the coach down, after prasing him so much,how I wish he could play serious football ,awache u’star mentality, He is not yet a star.Am surprised at how the Tusker duo are struggling in GM??.Lawi, i hope soon will be in the 1st 11.3 valuable pts bt today we were absent.Aluta Continua.Joash critics I hope you are comparing notes.
I know many will disagree, bt I think its time AR stamps his foot down & tell the coach/players in no uncertain terms that the kind of football displayed 2day is not in Kogalos genes. Why pay them 1000″ s & display neighborhood football, in this case I think I can have a chance in our 2nd 11, si ni kucontrol na kupura.My MOTM was Boni.The partnership of Charlo & Oluoch is so Weak, None of them is commanding the defence, they follow the ball after playing (especially oluoch),their balancing and position is wanting, nobody calls on the mid whenever they out of position.In fact a clever opposing No 10 or striker can really humiliate that partnetship.Is Onguso/Sam really a national team material leave alone GM, the jury still out there.Guikan has shown a lot of potential bt I think hapa, akina jasego walitu’ingiza, he seems to be carrying a long time injury.Ade is letting the coach down, after prasing him so much,how I wish he could play serious football ,awache u’star mentality, He is not yet a star.Am surprised at how the Tusker duo are struggling in GM??.Lawi, i hope soon will be in the 1st 11.3 valuable pts bt today we were absent.Aluta Continua.Joash critics I hope you are comparing notes.
Mieno can’t even make the second 11? Awuoro
I think AR should put it to the coach/players, what was displayed yesterday was not in Kogalo genes.Why would one be paid so much and to display neighborhood football.Ku control na kupura, it made feel like I have chance in the 2nd 11.The partnership of charlo & oluoch is so weak,none of them is commanding the defence,against a clever no.10 or striker they could be exposed seriously. Ade is letting the coach down with his star mentality.My MOTM was Boni.Lawi hope will soon make it to 1st 11.Guikan has shown potential bt I think jasego & company walituingiza, the dude seems to be carrying a long time injury.I wonder what’s up with the Tusker duo, wako chini.3 valuable points bt we really need to improve.
Pathetic takataka display of football unbecoming of Kogalo stature.Whay are those Ade was doing in the pitch?Coach nearly slapped him after the game,he was to be substituted first half if not his lucky goal,ati Captain of the day anacheza hivo.Cersidy,samuel onyango,Momanyi likewise lethargic players who must improve.Only Odhoji and Ondiek and Boniface Omondi played soccer.Guikan pia should stop joking kogalo we need results,he is developing an attitude that i dont like but he muat know he came to a team with strikers who have character,displacing Jacque or Meddie wont be a walk in the park,tia bidii acha hizo za ovyo…Thanks for 3 points but we played Nonsense
Hahaha aha…………..Ooh oh.. Laaa… La…..@Jasege…. On the spot…!,,,,!!!!
@jasego…I thought lawi also played quite well.however, am disappointed with cercidy.i expected alot more from him!!
Yes sorry for that oversight,Lawi was amazing & a contender for a first team place.Mieno sijui ni nini mbaya,came on put no effort whatsoever just there…Eeh hii ni ngumu they must show zeal and effort.Cersidy nayo i cant understand him at all
At this rate even the kit man will be blamed for making us put on the blue kit. For those who care to know, even the coach was not impressed by the performance of the day. Unfortunately that’s how football is. I saw a good game during the Bandari game.
For those of us who understand the role of the striker will know that Guikan has the eye for goal even more than Kagere and Tuyisenge. He tries to shoot from tight situations while the others will mostly score form inside the box.
What I saw from our boys is that they are in a hurry to finish a move. Very little calmness and self-belief. While Omondi B is in a hurry to finish a move Ade takes his time to show his prowess when team-paly can be beneficial to the team.
I still believe we have the players and coach to take us places. We can exert pressure as much as we like but the day they play beautifully and lose we will still be on their neck.
Tough being a Gor fan
Dan Original,we love our boys fervently & only critize to keep them on toes lest they believe somehow that putting in such torrid display & winning is acceptable.Such games as yesterday are frustrating,i talked to coach Kerr after and he was so disappointed despite the win.Guikan is my signing so can’t blame me for pointing out a correction,you already see above am mentioned in regard to his success or failure at K’ogalo therefore my only wish would be he thrives beyond our wildest dreams but anaanza dramatizing situations instead of fighting hard like i know he can.He will suceed am sure but Meddie & Tuyisenge have superb work rate that no one can deny,he will require to prove himself before he completely benches either of them
This Habit Of Badmouthing Players Day In Day Out Should Cease. It Is Plain Wrong If Not Uncouth.
We should all stop this nonsense of badmouthing players. Most of these players have not played together and we have it know it all attitude even those that can’t even kick mpira mar chwala.
Me what I can say is that Nzoi outplayed us…It was out luck to get the 3 points….
The game was baaaaaad.
didn’t watch this game but saw highlight; was Ondieki playing a RB.On Guikan I saw him shoot from a tight angle on the left yet it hit the woodwork. I feel he will explode on Tunisian defence on Friday.
The boys might have had a bad display but KEY is we rested our regular players but still managed three points. Mission accomplished, the rest is for the technical bench to address
What is this loud noise all about,me i didn’t see anything wrong with how we played today,sometime you play beautifully football and you loose and sometime you play the so called nonsense football and you loose no cause for alarm yawa
*I ment you play the so called nonsense football and you win*
Esperance can even take this match to the moon or red sea but what I know we have the upper hand with a 1-1 draw. I rest my case. To MIT NA YAWA!