Title in sight: Gor Mahia edges Sofapaka 2-1
Gor Mahia continued their irrepressible and unstoppable march towards the 2017 Kenya Premier league title when they beat Sofapaka 2-1 in Kisumu on Wednesday. Goals came via Meddie Kagere and George Odhiambo.
Additional Reporting from Capital FM
Umar Kassumba’s 10th goal of the season had cancelled out George ‘Blackberry’ odhiambo’s ninth minute belter, but Kagere headed home in the 63rd minute to ensure Dylan Kerr’s unbeaten run as Gor Mahia head coach remained intact.
Kagere’s winner was a huge relief for his fellow Rwandese Jack Tuyisenge who minutes before the goal had rocketed a penalty over the bar and Kagere duly ran to him after hitting the winner, consoling him that he’d already wiped his tears.
According to the new standings released by KPL excluding Zoo Kericho and Nakumatt, Gor went eight points clear of second placed Kakamega Homeboyz at the top of the standings.
On form Blackberry gave Gor the lead in the ninth minute striking is second consecutive goal in less than three days and his fourth of the season with a belter from 18 yards out which found the Sofapaka keeper flat footed.
Just like it has been their norm Gor started the much wit positivity and attacking football and just four minutes after Odhiambo’s goal, Kagere came close to a second with his tap from a Kenneth Muguna pass going wide.
Sofapaka gradually grew into the match and had two chances in the space of 10 minutes. First, in the 20th minute, Kennedy Oduor’s shot from the edge of the area went over while later, an Oduor cross landed on Kasumba who headed over.
The renewed pressure by Sofapaka bore fruit five minutes from time when Kassumba nodded home his 10th goal of the season, rising up to connect to fellow Ugandan Rodgers Aloro’s cross.
At the start of the second half, Sofapaka head coach Sam Ssimbwa made two changes at a go, pulling out Morven Otinya and Bernard Mang’oli for Ezekiel Okare and Hillary Echesa.
-Gor penalty-
Echesa wasn’t as lucky with his introduction as 13 minutes after coming on to the pitch his tripped Francis Kahata inside the box, but Tuyisenge could not hit the target from the resultant spot-kick, shooting the ball over.
But five minutes later, his blushes were redeemed by Kagere who swung in a header from a Godfrey Walusimbi cross to take his side back into the lead.
Gor were however made to finish the match uncomfortably as Sofapaka raided their rear and in the 75th minute, Okare missed a golden opportunity from close range when Gor keeper Boniface Oluoch blocked his connection from a Kassumba cross.
Ten minutes to time, Odhiambo should have sealed the victory for Gor Mahia when he rounded off the keeper, but his final effort could only hit the side netting.
Hongera vijana……
regardless of FKF, high court or KPL ruling, just beat Ulinzi and GAME SHOT !!!!!!!
Congrats,onto the title glory we steadfastly match. Sir Kerr aheri ka minwa manonywola…
Hehehee………………..
Hello The Trailer. Welcome back post Election Season One.
Congratulations Ker and Team. The bigger picture is three huge points. Well done.
Kudos TB and players.
Let me accept that I was one of those who doubted “Ker” but that was on the basis of his credentials visa vis the status of our beloved K’Ogalo.
It was upto him to prove himself and for now he has, in the Kenyan League, and I only wish the best, especially given the unnecessary distractions placed on his path by the bloated EC.
To EC and AR (note I have avoided the term “Mugabe”) I surely hope that you’ve settled the winning bonuses backlog (4 matches as per Ngala as at 16/09/2017) so that they have not accumulated to 6 but rather are just the current 2 latest matches.
As I hope EC has noted TB and players are not easing up on the victories.
P.S EC please start preparing for CAF.
AM TIRED OF WINNING .
Congrats team led by coach Kerr, technical bench, EC and fans for the victory.
We return glory to God for the victory.m
This team seems to have become bulletproof and invincible. The march continues…..
Musymo, standing ovation to you sir. I am very glad to have you in the house. That now leaves us with Le Pastre and The Villager wuod Koyugi. Guys come out and revel in the glory of sweet success.
I am forever humbled Jalweny….This Kasumba guy, what is he smoking? Signed just in June, has played only the second leg and is on 10 goals already, just one shy of Waruru, the top scorer!!!!!!
I’m around Bandit. Very impressed with Kerr and his boys. Congrats.
Eti who blasted the ball over the bar when given a penalty?
I’ve realized that for the last four years that we’ve had Scottish coaches we’ve been very successful. Starting with Sir Bobby Williamson ,we won the league, he was then appointed Harambee stars coach and he recommended his fellow country man in Frank Nuttal who won two league titles in a row before departing. Then came Ze Maria who won nothing. We again have a Scottish who have lost only to Everton and is headed to win the league unbeaten. Kudos Scotland coaches for making as proud
Blackberry has found a new role and it suits him very well.
Heheee Teddy ati tired of winning? Have you tried losing? Fasten your seatbelt my friend there are more wins ahead. Big question, can we keep this team intact for CAF?
Congrats team. This seems to be over and dusted. We now need to strategize for next year and the future as well. We will need finances and therefore there needs to be clarity on whether Sportpesa will withdraw or not. Will players like Walu and Muguna leave for greener pastures? Have we identified potential recruits for next year etc etc. That’s the type f talk we should now be engaging in.
My take on players recruitment for next year is that we retain the squad as no player in our league can match the current kogalo squad.
We should not go for any foreign player.
Can somebody tell me which country was Len Julian and Jack Johnson from.?
Wiya owil..
Gor fined 200,000 for fans trouble over Waruru incident,threatened with docking of 3 points next time.Why cant other teams face the same ingwe,posta with sammy omolo punching Ssimbwa etc?Leave Kogalo alone never touch our points or i will instigate Mass Action…
Wuod Suba I think Len Julians was English while Jack Johnson was from Denmark. Someone else please confirm this.
JTG you are spot on. Good memory.
Good memory
Thanks Ja thur gi ji….
Thanks Ja thur gi ji….
My next question…
Have we ever have a successful coach from eastern Europe or America at kogalo?
@ jasego, 7 years of league dominance will make a lot of people unhappy and bitter.
am one of those who now believe kogallo is officially tooooooo big for KPL league…in future we will have to win the league with 5 – 10 matches to go to deter potential and wanna be points deductors !
@jakoyo,i totally agree,we have to wrap things early with matches to spare since point deductors are on our radar.We already to our chagrin lost 9 points from High Court order so how dare someone eye 3 more dubiously over fan trouble?Mago Onge
Congrats to everyone..we have done very well. Berry is coming back to his real self. I am very happy for him!
.. .. and I am happy to read your comment, Kassam. I am reminded of ndalo machon.
BTW kasumba Ni ber kobiro gor then cm gi attacking mid bado re-enforcements inatakikana
other wise okwanyal match standards continentals
Exactly and am sure “Ker” is alive to that fact but also seem ambitious. Team needs enforcements for CAF. GMFC always thrives under a strong personality as coach especially one who keeps machinations of bloated EC at bay. Sadly it appears Team Manger Jolawi’s statement is what got Waruru off the hook and landed GMFC the kes.200k fine. I only wish he was that committed in pushing for players winning bonuses to be paid on time and siding with players like Simiyu against unfair salary deductions. Yawa Jolawi tamper “honesty” with loyalty.