NAIROBI, Kenya, May 10- Champions Gor Mahia claimed their fifth Kenyan Premier League (KPL) victory on the bounce after coming from a goal down to edge out Sofapaka 2-1 at City Stadium on Saturday.
Elsewhere, surprise challengers, Chemelil Sugar levelled in the dying minutes to hold hosts Western Stima to a 1-1 stalemate to maintain their unbeaten run in the league.
At a rocking City Stadium in Nairobi, Patrick Kagogo gave Sofapaka the lead but Dan Sserunkuma and Rama Salim scored to give K’Ogalo victory in a match full drama and controversy.
Sofapaka will feel hard done by after the referee awarded a first half penalty for a perfectly timed Felly Mulumba tackle while Salim scored with a defender lying prostate on the ground after dislocating his shoulder after a collision with the goalscorer.
Gor lined up in a 3-5-2 formation but were soon on the back foot as the Sofapaka duo of Kagogo and Damson Kago made good use of spaces down either flank.
John Baraza put Kagogo through early on but his low cross was cut out by David Owino.
A mistake by Yusuf Juma presented Gor with their first chance but Sofapaka keeper David Okello made a fine save to keep out Sserunkuma’s goalbound shot.
K’Ogalo thought they had taken the lead but Sserunkuma’s goal was chalked off by a raised offside flag.
Sofapaka went ahead on 26 minutes when a deft Baraza pass put Kagogo through and he finished with aplomb.
Gor equalized in controversial circumstances on 37 minutes after Sserunkuma went down following Mulumba’s inch perfect challenge but the referee pointed to the spot.
Sserunkuma dusted himself up to score the resultant penalty.
Sofapaka had chances in the second half but wasteful finishing kept the scores at 1-1.
The winner for Gor came 18 minutes from time and again there was controversy surrounding it.
Mulumba landed awkwardly after an aerial challenge with Salim but despite the Sofapka stopper lying in pain, Gor went ahead with play and Salim tapped the ball home sparking wild celebrations in the stands.
Gor move to 26 points, four ahead of Chemelil who were held by Western Stima.
David Okello put Stima on the driving seat in the 15thminute with a perfect header from Shafik Batambuze’s corner that was too hot for Chemelil goalkeeper Jairus Adira to handle.
Chemelil’s second half substitute Valen Mahero leveled the scores in the dying minutes to spoil Stima’s celebrations.
-Reports by SuperSport.com
