Gor Mahia started their 2018 Africa Champions league campaign with a solid performance, beating Equatorial Guinea side Leones Vegeterianos by a score of 2-0. The goals were scored by new signings Kevin Omondi and Ephrem Guikan.
\nAdditonal reporting from futaa.com
\nThe hosts went ahead in the 20th minute through prodigal son Kevin ‘Ade’ Omondi who nodded home from a Meddie Kagere headed cross. Humphrey Mieno missed a penalty six minutes later following a handball in the area. Ivorian forward Ephrem Guikan then got Gor’s second goal with a venous drive at the hour mark barely 30 seconds were coming on.<\/p>\n
Strong start <\/p>\n
Gor Mahia started the game strongly in search of the early opener that would help settle the nerves.<\/p>\n
The first opportunity fell to Meddie Kagere in the fifth minute but his shot from a Godfrey Walusimbi delivery didn’t trouble Vegetarianos number one Manuel Sapunga. <\/p>\n
Kagere and Kevin Omondi were denied two clear cut chances in quick succession by the offiside flag with Leones’ offside trap working to their advantage much to the frustration of the hosts. The visitors barely threatened Boniface Oluoch on Gor Mahia goal; their long range attempts were easily picked by Olouch. <\/p>\n
Ade opener <\/p>\n
Gor Mahia’s early pressure finally bore fruits in the 20th minute when Kevin Omondi put the Kenyan champions ahead. A well floated ball from Godfrey Walusimbi was headed to Omondi’s path by Kagere and the forward did the needful with a tidy low finish. <\/p>\n
Mieno miss<\/p>\n
Six minutes later, Gor Mahia won a penalty after a handball from a Leones defender. Former Tusker FC midfielder Humphey Mieno stepped up to take but his kick was saved by the visitors’ keeper, Sapunga.<\/p>\n
The visitor barely threatened Gor with their attacking pair of Nguema Mosso and Afugu Nkogo starved up front. Gor Mahia took a 1-0 lead to the break despite creating numerous chances in the first stanza.<\/p>\n
Dominant Gor <\/p>\n
Gor Mahia continued to dominate proceedings after the interval. Meddie Kagere’s header from a well take George Odhiambo free-kick in the 52nd minute went over the bar while Sapunga came off his line to deny Gor after a defensive mix up from the visitors minutes later. <\/p>\n
Super sub<\/p>\n
At the hour mark, Ephrem Guikan made his introduction count scoring with his first touch. The forward cut in from the right before firing home from 30-yards out, Sapunga could do little to deny the attacker. Sapunga denied Guikan his second in the 70th minute parrying another scorcher from the left footed attacker.<\/p>\n
Depsite creating more chances, the hosts failed to get more goals and in the end settled for a 2-0 win ahead of the return leg.<\/p>\n
Gor Starting XI : Boniface Oluoch (GK), Wellington Ochieng, Harun Shakava, Ernest Wendo, Godfrey Walusimbi, Joash Onyango, Humphrey Mieno (78′ Lawrence Juma) Francis Kahata, George Odhiambo (60′ Ephrem Guikan) Meddie Kagere, Kevin Omondi (71′ Samwel Onyango)<\/p>\n
Unusued Subs : Shaban Odhonji (GK), Philemon Otieno,Charlee Momanyi, Cercidy Okeyo, Wesley Onguso, Bonfice Omondi<\/p>\n