NAIROBI, October 21 – Champions Gor Mahia inched closer to the ‘Invincibles’ honour after skinning Sofapaka 2-0 in a SportPesa Premier League clash at Nairobi City Stadium on Wednesday.
Elsewhere, Tusker stand-in coach, Leonard Odipo won his first match since replacing Francis Kimanzi after captain and league top scorer, Jesse Were, struck late to lift them to a 1-0 victory over Sony Sugar in Awendo.
At Gor’s City Stadium citadel, rejuvenated midfielder, Ali Abondo continued his scoring run as talisman Michael Olunga added a second as the 15-time champions protected their unbeaten status and push their tally to 69 points with only three games to wrap the season.
Having already defended the title and surpassed the record 63 in the Kenyan Premier League era achieved when Mathare United lifted the title in 2008; ending the campaign without tasting defeat is the last frontier remaining this term for a side that will keep the trophy for good.
Struggling Batoto ba Mungu were the latest to fail to take Gor’s scalp and the titleholders’ tally now reads 27 unbeaten.
The visitors missed a penalty in the second half that had potential to alter matters and remain third on 43, same as Muhoroni Youth who have an inferior goal difference in fourth.
Abondo headed home Olunga’s cross to send his side ahead in the 23rd minute after the visitors came off the blocks through David Mbatiye who missed the target by inches.
Meddie Kagere and Olunga came close for Gor but could not double the lead to the break.
The second half was a one sided affair as Gor continued their dominance and they could have made it 2-0 but Sofapaka goalie, David Okello stopped Olunga’s effort.
Sofapaka then earned a spot-kick but restored Boniface Oluoch in K’Ogalo’s goal stopped veteran striker, John Baraza, from 12 yards in the 59th to preserve their lead.
The scare roused Gor to go in for the kill and Ugandan midfielder, Khalid Aucho spurned two quick chances before Kagere wasted a one-on-one run at goal with only Okello to beat.
Olunga sealed the result in the 77th with a beautiful finish for his 16th, four shy of Were whose 72nd minute winner was enough to lift Tusker past a stubborn Sony.