Gor Mahia edge Western Stima 2-1
Unlike in 2014 when Kogalo won the league and took their foot off the accelerator and ended up losing to KCB, this time Gor Mahia have continued pedal to the medal. On Wednesday they beat Western Stima 2-1. The goals came from Francis Kahata and Wellington Ochieng . The loss puts Western Stima further in peril of relegation. hey are in 1th position only two points ahead of Thika United.
It was Stima who took the lead in the 17th minute from a Victor Omumbo penalty after Musa Mohamed was judged to have pushed a Stima player. In the 28th minute, Evans Kiwanuka should have doubled the lead. But with only Odhoji to beat, he skyed the ball over the bar.
Kogalo equalized when Francis Kahata sent a high ball into the area. The Wester Stima keeper misjudged the ball expecting a cross , only to see the ball sail into the net.
Kagere showed his poaching skills in the 35th minute when he intercepted a backpass but his effort hit the side netting.
Three minutes later, Wellington Ochieng put Kogalo ahead when he deflected a well taken free-kick from Walusimbi into the net. Then in the 44th minute, Ochieng was at it again, this time his shot almost resulted in an own goal as Vitalis Akumu struggled to make a goalmouth clearance.
The second half had far less action than the first. Jacque Tuyisenge who is chaing the golden boot had his best chance in the 58th minute when he met w Walusimbi cross but his effort went over the bar.
In the 80th minute, Bernard Ondiek tested Odhoji forcing a good save from the latter.
For Gor Mahia, this match presented opportunities for players like Shaban Odhoji who has seen little or no action all season and central defender Joash Onyango. It was also an opportunity for players who are chasing individual awards to further make their case. The game also serves the purpose of keeping the players sharp and motivated.
Next up is Zoo Kericho on Sunday. The match is to be played in Kericho. Given the tension n the country, KPL should consider scheduling the match at a different venue.
Gor Mahia XI: Shaban Odhoji, Wellington Ochieng, Godfrey Walusimbi, Musa Mohamed, Joash Onyango, Ernest Wendo, George Odhiambo, Kenneth Muguna, Francis Kahata, Jacques Tuyisenge and Medie Kagere.
Western Stima starting XI: Stephen Otieno, Junior Mukisa, Geoffrey Ochieng, Maurice Ojwang, Vincent Omumbo, Evans Kiwanuka, Bernard Ondiek, Vitalis Akumu,(Kevin Okoth) Brian Marita,(Fredrick Nyarombo) Ezekiel Otuoma(Mbumba Hamadi), Herbert Kopany.
Sir Kerr,Entire TB,Playing Unit,EC & Fans…Tibim Tialala…#wamor
Administrator, kindly be reminded of the perils of ‘copy and paste’: …….”But with only Odhoji to beat, she skyed the ball over the bar”. Who is this ‘she’?
Tibim Tialala…..congrats team.
We are always talking of these tensions. When we played Thika and Mathare in Thika it was the same. When we played Ulinzi at Kericho it was the same. I do’t think we have reached where you just go to a stadium and start beating up your ‘opponents’. Also Gor fans must desist from provoking opponent’s fans if they know there is tension. Remember Madrid went to Girona , played and came back despite the tension. Let’s go show the Kericho fans that we love our team and sing while supporting it. But don’t ridicule the locals as you sing.
On yesterday’s game I watched and realized that our players still have this mob mentality of ‘mobbing’ the ref when not happy with his calls. I also realized that Musa though as the Captain he leads the team in this instead of discouraging the players.
Overall, yesterday’s game was so poor that none other than Kerr voiced his displeasure on the players. We really need to recruit , especially in attack and central defence.