Gor Mahia edge Mathare Utd 2-1

[faraja]

Report from Mozzartsports

The record Kenyan champions now possess a nine point buffer over AFC Leopards after the latter suffered a 1-0 defeat to KCB

Gor Mahia needed a last-gasp penalty from Enock Morrison to secure a 2-1 win against Mathare United and open up a nine-point lead at the summit of the FKF Premier League log over arch-rivals AFC Leopards.

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K'Ogalo had the Ghanaian duo of Ebenezer Assifuah and Morrison to thank after both delivered the crucial win after the Slum Boys' Dennis Okoth threatened to spoil the Green Army's party with an equaliser in the 83rd minute.

Unlike most teams, Gor Mahia, alongside Posta Rangers, had a week-long rest due to their inactivity during the midweek fixtures, with their last match being an emphatic 3-0 win over KCB FC.

Gor Mahia went into the match in imperious form, having won all their six previous matches - the longest winning streak in the league this season.

In turn, K’Ogalo were at the top of the league table with 40 points, six more than AFC Leopards and Shabana, who are their closest challengers.

The match against the Slum Boys, therefore, provided the Kenyan giants with a perfect opportunity to extend their lead at the summit to nine points, at least before AFC Leopards and Shabana lock horns on Sunday, 1 March.


Gor were the better side from the first whistle, creating early midfield dominance through Alpha Onyango and Jackson Dwang'.

For their dominance, K’Ogalo were the recipients of the match’s first chance in the third minute when Shariff Musa picked a ball from the mid-left of the pitch, dribbled towards the box and unleashed a shot that drew a brilliant save from Kevin Ouru in the Mathare goal.

The Kenyan giants were back at it in the 10th minute when former AFC Leopards captain Lewis Bandi, who was making his first start for the club, whipped in an enticing cross, but Ebenzer Adukwaw’s attempted acrobatic strike went over the bar.

The Slum Boys had their first chance in the 20th minute when Isaac Omweri cut in from the right before taking a strike with his favourite left foot, but it was feeble and could not trouble Gad Mathews in goal.

K’Ogalo drew closer in the 25th minute through Enock Morrison, whose goal-bound shot was well handled by Ouru after the former was set up by Dwang'.

Three minutes later, Harambee Stars defender Sylvester Owino hit the side netting after picking a loose ball in a goalmouth melee from a Dwang' corner.

By the half-hour mark, frustrations had started growing in the K’Ogalo camp as well as their fanbase as the team’s usual fluidity, quick passes and transition were yet to be witnessed.

The 21-time record league champions drew closer in the 39th minute when Adukwaw received a Levin Odhiambo pass from the left, cut in and pulled the trigger with his strike going inches over the bar.

K’Ogalo pushed for an opener before the break, but the Mathare defense stood tall to prevent any harm and ensure it was all square at half time.

In a bid to bolster the team's attacking impetus, coach Charles Akonnor introduced Bryton Onyona and Ebenezer Assifuah for Levin and Adukwaw.

The substitutions saw Gor initiate early attacks in the second half, but none brought anything further than half-chances that were all wasted.

Gor Mahia wasted a glorious opportunity in the 55th minute when Mathews initiated a counterattack after collecting an Asieche free kick, but Musa’s final pass was not precise and allowed Ouru to collect the pieces.

Francis Kayugi picked up a yellow card in the 58th minute for time wasting as referee Peter Kamaku cracked the whip on the growing antics by the Slum Boys

Omweri’s hour-mark strike that missed the target was Mathare’s first attempt of the half, with the team largely defending and sitting deep.

Alpha’s goal-bound 62nd-minute strike from inside the box was brilliantly cleared by Kayugi, with Ouru well-beaten.
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Gor Mahia had loud calls for a penalty in the 65th minute ignored by Kamaku, who judged Ian Omondi to have touched the ball before Musa.

K’Ogalo’s persistence paid off in the 67th minute when, on a quick transition, Alpha put Assifuah through on the right side of the goal, and the lethal Ghanaian unleashed a thunderous strike into the back of the net to break the deadlock and send Nyayo into a frenzy.

Buoyed by the goal, Gor initiated further attacks through Assufuah and Alpha, but none were enough to yield a second goal by the 80th minute.

Against the run of play, Mathare found a loose ball inside the box after Gor Mahia failed to clear their lines with Dennis Okoth, who had just come on, slotting home to level the scores and silence the Nyayo crowd.

Not to be deterred by the goal, K’Ogalo pushed for a winner, which came in the 88th minute in the form of a penalty by Morrison after Ouru fouled Assifuah in the box.

In the end, it was a hard-fought win by Gor Mahia that pushed them to 49 points, nine clear of Leopards and Shabana, who are the chasing pack.


Gor Mahia Starting XI: Gad Mathews, Lewis Bandi, Levin Odhiambo, Sylvester Owino, Frank Odhiambo, Alpha Onyango, Enock Morrison, Jackson Dwang', Samuel Kapen, Shariff Musa, Ebenezer Adukwaw

Mathare United Starting XI: Kevin Ouru, Fiden Otieno, Ian Omondi, Francis Kayuga, Benson, Shikutwa, Brian Ouru, Brian Ochieng, Musa Masika, Isaac Omweri, Harrison Amalemba, Elli Asieche.