Mathare United’s-Daniel Mwaura against Gor Mahia’s Eric Ouma.PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu.
NAIROBI, Kenya May 22- Godfrey Walusimbi and Jacques Tuyisenge struck apiece in the second half as SportPesa Premier league defending champions Gor Mahia registered their fifth successive win with a 2-0 win over Mathare United at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.
The result now sees the 15-time record champions dispose Mathare at second spot, with the two tied on 26 points but K’Ogalo have a better goal difference.
Despite the first half lacking any shot on target, it was a great display of tactical and technical prowess between the two sides, Dutch football fighting its way against the rather flamboyant and flowery Brazilian Samba style.
Gor were mostly using the right channel in their attack with coach Jose ‘Ze Maria’ Marcelo eager to use the pace of Innocent Wafula and crossing ability of Karim Nizigiyimana.
The duo played one-two short passes on the flank in the sixth minute but Wafula’s eventual cross was few inches higher than Jacques Tuyisenge’s height with the Rwandese forward rising in futility to connect the cross.
Three minutes later, Wafula powered on the right again before putting in a low cross but George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo arrived in the box few seconds late.
Mathare had sat back to absorb the fast pressure applied by Gor and the biggest weapon they used to ensure their keeper remained untested was their fast pressing whenever Gor were in possession.
Francis Kimanzi’s side had their first attempt in the 17th minute when Eric Johannah weaved his way from the left to get himself in a good shooting range, but couldn’t get the right technique to test Boniface Oluoch with the ball flying acres wide.
Walusimbi caused problems for Mathare in the 21st minute, striking in a powerful freekick from the left finding Wafula isolated at the far post, but the latter’s first touch was too heavy allowing Robinson Kamura to hack it away to safety.
Mathare slowly grew into the game, passing the ball well from the back but failed to get anything at the final third despite Gor skipper Musa Mohammed showing some few nervy instances with weak defending.
The defending champions came close to winding the half a goal up but Wafula’s freekick from 30 yards out flew a few over.
Mathare United midfielder Edward Seda goes down from Gor Mahia’s Khalid Aucho challenge. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
With both sides going into the break goalless, the second half was always set to be an explosive affair.
Kimanzi threw in the first dice, taking off Crispin Oduor for Alphonce Ndonye as he sought a more attacking minded display.
Gor kept their attacking mantra and they did not wait long to get ahead.
Ugandan Walusimbi struck a beauty of a curler in the 68th minute after being accorded time and space by the Mathare backline to leave keeper Peter Odhiambo only watching helplessly as the ball found its way into the top right corner.
Mathare had no option but to put up an attacking front and Kimanzi made another change bringing in his top scorer Obadiah Ndege for midfielder Edward Seda.
He then threw caution into the wind, pulling off right back Noah Abich for striker Harrison Mwenda but the change did more harm than good.
Seven minutes to go, the impressive Erick Ouma burst through the right side of Mathare’s defense before putting in an enticing cross which Tuyisenge headed home powerfully to all but secure the three points for Gor.
Despite pulling their weight together in attack, Mathare could not find a way past Gor custodian Boniface Oluoch.
