Gor Mahia players celebrating after scoring against Chemelil Sugar in a match played at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday, September 10
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 10- Champions Gor Mahia paid tribute to their former coach James Siang’a’s death in style with a 3-1 victory over inform Chemelil Sugar at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.
Gor ended a three match winless streak hours after their former coach and ex International goalkeeper passed on in Bungoma County on Friday night.
The match started with a moment of silence to honor Siang’a with Gor players donning black armbands to mourn the legendary celebrated footballer who was inducted in Kenya’s football hall of fame in December last year.
George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo who was recruited by Siang’a to join Gor then as a youth netted the third goal as compliment to his mentor.
Francis Kahata opened the scores from a freekick in the 20th minute before Amos Nondi doubled with Odhiambo completing the rout.
Defender Wellington Ochieng got the nod to start his first game for Gor since being signed from Muhoroni Youth in the absence of the suspended Karim Nizigiyimana while Abouba Sibomana also returned to the starting fold, being handed a place at left back with Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma pushed to the offensive position.
Chemelil’s Francis Baraza opted to start youngster Apollo Otieno in midfield while recent Harambee Stars call up Victor Majjid started from the bench.
Gor had the better of starts, with Ouma showing his prowess with some good runs on the left but all his crosses went begging.
Gor’s early burst paid off 17 minutes into the game, and it had to come from a set piece as they couldn’t create any danger from open play.
Kahata pulled one straight from the top drawer after Jacques Tuyisenge was fouled 25 yards out, curling the ball around the wall and into the net with keeper Ali Kimera left rooted to his spot.
Jared Obwoge put the Sugar Millers on equal terms with a low shot beating Gor custodian Boniface Oluoch.
The sugar belt side had a chance to draw level two minutes later, but Willis Ouma pulled a wild shot after Hillary Echesa had rolled the ball for him from a freekick.
Tuyisenge evaded Wilis Ouma’s challenge and raced to the ball to place it for Nondi to convert it in the 57th minute.
Odhiambo side footed the ball into the net unmarked at the far post from a Tuyisenge cross to seal Chemelil’s fate.
