NAIROBI, Kenya, May 4 – Champions Gor Mahia returned to the summit of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) on Sunday after edging bitter rivals Sony Sugar 1-0 at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.
Ugandan talisman, Dan Sserunkuma, was once again the toast of K’Ogalo with the winning goal as the titleholders continued to belie their woes with the taxman and now world governing body Fifa with potent pitch performances after edging the ten-men of Sony.
Western Stima rallied from two goals down to hold 10-man Sofapaka to a 3-3 draw in a thrilling clash played at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.
Newcomers KRA climbed to third on the log with a 1-0 win over 2008 champions, Mathare United at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium before fellow promoted side, Top Fry Nakuru held City Stars to a barren stalemate in a televised double header.
After the fracas that broke in Awendo last season between the two foes, Sony were compelled to hold their home tie against K’Ogalo in Nakuru as their former captain and head coach, Zedekiah Otieno, once again attempted to derail the crisis hit giants.
The came was a keenly contested affair with Sserunkuma netting the decider in the 68th minute with a thumping shot when Anthony Akumu’s free-kick rebounded off the post for his fifth goal of the season when Eugene Ochieng hacked down midfielder and namesake Eric Ochieng that saw him sent off with a straight red card.
The Sugar miller’s top scorer, Edwin Odour thought he had given his side the lead just after five minutes when he was put through by Marwa Chamberi but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Left back Godfrey Walusimbi could have broke the deadlock in the 40th with his free-kick when Ochieng was fouled by Charles Odette but the resulting kick was off target as both sides shared the spoils at the break.
Otieno charges opted to sit back and defence hoping for a counter attack breakthrough that saw Israel Emuge clear Oduor’s cross.
Harambee Stars midfielder Anthony Akumu, could have doubled Gor’s lead in the 75th but his venomous free-kick came back from the post on his return from a three-week injury lay off with Sserunkuma missing the target from the rebound.
Gor supplanted surprise package Chemelil Sugar from the top with 23 points after the sugar millers hit Thika United 2-1 on Saturday.
Machakos thriller
In Machakos, Enock Agwanda opened the scoring for Sofapaka in the second minute after tapping in a John Baraza long pass to take his goal tally to six and top of the KPL charts.
Veteran Baraza then doubled the lead in the 15th heading home Agwanda’s corner before Fredrick Nyarobo pulled one back for Stima three minutes later, cutting in from the right flank to slot in.
It was 2-2 at the half hour with David Okello equalising before Shafik Batambuze put the visitors ahead in the 40th heading in Nyarombo’s cross from the left to beat Sofapaka custodian David Okello.
However the lead did not last as Clifton Miheso equalized just before the breather heading home Yusuf Juma’s cross from the left.
They however suffered a huge blow in the 66th as Collins Shivachi was sent off for a second bookable offense.
Batambuze could have given Stima the lead two minutes later but his hard shot from just outside the box hit the bar.
Sofapaka introduced Eugene Asike for Baraza while Stima pulled out Batambuze bringing Gabriel Andika in the 76th and Dennis Onkangi for Nyarombo a few minutes later but the changes had no effect as the match ended in a 3-3 draw to see the 2009 champions fourth on 18 points.
In the early kick-off at Nyayo Stadium, Ken Kenyatta side prevailed with Joseph Mulume scoring the only goal against Mathare when he curled in the ball from the edge of the box in the 26th minute.
Mathare’s chance to level the scores came in the 61st but custodian Kevin Otieno who eventually was voted the man of the match denied David Mwangi, parrying away his hard shot for a fruitless corner.
Roosevelt Blatty was soon rested and Rodgers Owino took his place, an obvious attempt by Kenyatta to solidify his defense.
Kenneth Wendo, who had replaced Isuza, missed a glorious chance to equalise with nine minutes left after an incisive pass from Joseph Njuguna.
Otieno did well to deny youngster substitute Eric Johanna in the 88th easily picking his hard shot.
In the last match of the day Top Fry held on host Nairobi City Stars to a barren draw to see the Kawangware base drop to 13 with 12.
In other results, Bandari secured a second consecutive draw after sharing a barren draw with Muhoroni Youth.
