Gor Mahia continued with their good start to the 2018 Kenya Premier League when they beat Kariobangi Sharks 2-1 on Sunday.
\nAdditional reporting from futaa.com
\nReigning KPL champions Gor Mahia have skipped into the second place with a game in hand after their 2-1 win against Kariobangi Sharks in a thrilling match played on Sunday 25th February at the Kenyatta Stadium Machakos.<\/p>\n
The match started on a high with Gor Mahia taking charge of the steering wheel from the onset but Samuel Onyango\u2019s well timed cross to Meddie Kagere flew over the woodwork in the fifth minute.<\/p>\n
It was not long before the former Ulinzi Stars hitman took the responsibility and slotted home in the 10th minute after collecting an Ondieki cross from the midfield, dribbling through defence and unleashing a cracker that Oyemba couldn\u2019t handle.<\/p>\n
Sharks attempted a quick comeback on the opposite end but a pinpoint cross from Patilla Omoto cross found Eric Kapaito offside and was subsequently flagged down as he angled himself for a shot.<\/p>\n
Sharks managed to stabilize the game despite trailing and maintained attacks Patilla showing a strong attacking spirit. He was brought down at the edge of the area by Walusimbi and Bolton Omwenga did not miss the mark from the freekick; the ball slipping between Boniface Oluoch\u2019s feet for the equalizer.<\/p>\n
Gor Mahia should have stretched the lead in the 26th minute after Guakan collected a pass inside the area but his left footer was not powerful enough to beat Sharks keeper. Samuel Onyango was at it five minutes later with a cracker from the right but Oyiemba produced a brilliant reflex to punch the ball aways.<\/p>\n
Shiveka was having a tough time in degence handling Onyango whose speed and crosses proved dangerous all the time. Kegere would then race through the wing from a Shakava cross to float in a cross which Guikan crashed against the post from a well executed header.<\/p>\n
Sharks attempted to come back but their floated balls lacked an answer upfront with the team having retreated to defence. They however bounced back towards the end of the first half; Ebrimah Saneh floating in a cross which Duke Abuya tapped inches wide to the far corner.<\/p>\n
Patillah Omoto came closest in the 45th minute crashing his long range thunderbolt against the woodwork after Wellington Ochieng\u2019 had lost the ball in the midfield.<\/p>\n
Sharks started the second half on a more stable note but slowed the game at first with coach Muluya bring on board experienced Mazembe who had been relegated to the bench for Fidel Origa.<\/p>\n
Gor Mahia did not however take it lying down and responded through Guikan who floated in a cross that Oyemba punched away despite being off his line. K\u2019ogallo then did a double substitution bringing in speedy Kahata and former Sharks player Kevin Omondi to stabilize the midfield further.<\/p>\n
Sharks also did a double bringing in Lokale and Manoa for Sanneh who had faded and Abuya. Gor Mahia however showed experience when Meddie Kagere beat the defence on the right dribbling perfectly to set up Guikan who finally easily tapped in for the goal he had so much looked for.<\/p>\n
Bolton Omwenga was commendable on the freekicks this time coming close for Sharks in the 80th minute but Kapaito headed straight to Oluoch though he almost let the ball off his hands.<\/p>\n
Substitute Mazembe shoud have done better on the left for Sharks after twisting and turning but he released a weak shot. Lokale then missed narrowly with Oluoch\u2019s experience coming to play to beat the striker to the ball from a Kapaito cross on the left.<\/p>\n
Harun Shakava\u2019s final minute efforts went begging from a freekick at the edge of the box but Gor Mahia enjoyed the bragging rights moving to second on the standings.<\/p>\n
Kariobangi Sharks Starting XI:<\/strong> John Oyemba, Michael Bodo, Geoffrey Shiveka (c), Pascal Ogweno, Fidel Origa [James Mazembe], Sven Yidah, Patilla Omoto, Duke Abuya [Francis Manoa], Bolton Omwenga, Erick Kapaito, Ebrimma Sanneh [Sydney Lokale]<\/p>\n Unused Subs: Gad Mathews, Wycliffe Otieno, Paul Kamau,, Shaphan Oyugi,<\/p>\n Gor Mahia Starting XI:<\/strong> Boniface oluoch, Godfrey Walusimbi, Wellingtone Ochieng, Harun Shakava, Joash Onyango, Philemon Otieno, Boniface Omondi [Kevin Omondi], Bernard Ondiek [Ernest Wendo], Meddie Kagere, Ephraim Guikan, Samwel Onyango [Francis Kahata].<\/p>\n Unused Subs: Shaban Odhoji, Charles Momanyi, Humphrey Mieno,, Eliud Lokuwam<\/p>\n