Gor Mahia continued their amazing run in 2018 with a 4-0 demolition of bottom side Wazito at Kisumu on Wednesday.
Additional reporting from the Nation
Champions Gor Mahia consolidated their lead at the helm of the SportPesa Premier League with a 4-0 demolition of newcomers Wazito FC in a mid-week SportPesa Premier League match at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu on Wednesday.
Gor, who comfortably defended their SportPesa Super Cup over the weekend to book a date with Everton at Goodison Park next month, have now accumulated 37 points from 15 matches, while Wazito remain bottom on 17 points after 19 matches.
Boniface Omondi grabbed a brace while on-form striker Meddie Kagere and Francis Kahata scored a goal each in a clash that the 16-time Kenyan champions dominated.
“It is a big win for us as a team and our fans. Again we played very well and we are happy with the win. We are focusing on our next match and we want to win always and make our fans happy,” said Gor’s coach Dylan Kerr.
Kagere picked from where he left in the just ended Super Cup where he won the golden boot, as he fired K’Ogalo ahead after just two minutes into play with a header after being put through by Innocent Wafula from the right.
Immediately after the goal, Wazito made an attempt to restore parity through Samson Ndegwa, but he failed to hit the target with his shot going wide, before Ricky Onimbo was forced to clear to safety with Jacques Tuyisenge lurking.
Wazito goalkeeper Philip Odhiambo responded fast to deny Kagere his second goal and he immediately released David Oswe on the right flank, who then put through Joakim Omollo, but his cross inside Gor Mahia’s box was also cleared for a corner by Joash Odhiambo.
The resulting corner-kick bore nothing for the home side as Odhiambo headed clear.
Kahata then thrilled the fans with a beautiful move at the centre area before he released Godfrey Walusimbi on the left flank, but the Ugandan’s attempt from the tight angle went wide.
Goalkeeper Odhiambo’s mistake to get out of his area almost gifted Gor a second goal as Wafula easily beat him to deliver a dangerous pass to Boniface Omondi, but his effort could only manage the side netting.
Omondi netted Gor’s second goal in the 28th minute with a powerful strike from outside the edge of the box after he beat Isaac Otieno.
Both sides made first half changes with Wazito bringing on Erick Ochieng for Anthony Njeru, while Benard Ondiek replaced Humphrey Mieno for Gor Mahia.
Kagere’s second goal in the 35th minute was ruled out after he fouled goalkeeper Odhiambo who had gone high to gather the ball.
Wazito failed to capitalise on another corner kick which came a few minutes into the second half and Gor launched a counter attack, but Odhiambo was disposed of possession by Onimbo just when he was preparing to shoot.
Kahata placed Kerr’s charges three goals up in the 53rd minute with the simplest of finishes via Wafula’s cross from the right wing.
Another chance for Wazito to reduce the deficit came in the 64th minute when Gor captain Harun Shakava fouled substitute Ochieng at the edge of the box, but Boniface Oluoch easily saved Omollo’s shot.
Gor were then denied by the crossbar before they wasted two successive chances that came their way.
Ivorian Ephrem Guikan, who had replaced Tuyisenge, was not lucky as his finish sailed just wide.
Gor continued piling pressure on their opponents and Guikan managed to cut through Wazito’s defence in extra time to supply Odhiambo, who made no mistake with a low shot that found the back of the net.
