NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 30 – Champions Gor Mahia revived their hopes of retaining the Kenyan Premier League title for a fourth year in a row after beating Mathare United 2-1 at the Moi International Sports Center Kasarani on Sunday.
The win saw K’Ogalo cut on Tusker’s lead to four points as they sit second on 51 points with only two games remaining before the season wraps up.
Francis Kahata netted a beauty to open the scores in the 20th minute before Rwandese Jacques Tuyisenge nodded the second in the 59th minute and ensure Tusker are not crowned champions.
Chrispinus Oduor clawed one back for Mathare United in the 81st minute but it was too late to salvage the situation.
“It was a good match because both teams tried to score.We have to continue this way, put pressure on Tusker until the last match. I’m for Tuyisenge who scored a goal today after a long time,” Gor head coach Jose ‘Marcelo’ Zemaria said after the match.
His opposite number Francis Kimanzi blamed poor defence for their loss but was happy with the way his charges played.
“Gor were better because we gave them two easy goals. We could have done better as a team to defend but its over we lost yet again six points to them which means we have another homework to do next season,” Kimanzi, who lifted the KPL title with Mathare in 2008 stated.
With head coach Ze Maria retaining the squad that beat bitter rivals AFC Leopards 2-0 in the Mashemeji derby, Gor controlled the first half that saw them convert the first chance they created.
Poor goalkeeping from Robert Mboya earned Gor the first goal that saw Kahata unleash a long range stunner with his favourite left foot that bounced past the Mathare United keeper into the back of the net.
In the 32nd minute, George ‘BlackBerry’ Odhiambo gave K’Ogalo a scare when he limped off injured but he managed to come back and continue with the game.
Five minutes later, wonder kid Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma came close with a ferocious shot forcing Mboya to punch away for a fruitless corner.
The second half became more intense with Mathare threatening in search of the equalizer but Boniface Oluoch was alert to repel Robinson Kamura’s set-piece at the edge of the box after Harun Shakava handled the ball.
Gor managed to grow back into the game resulting to the second goal when Tuyisenge headed past Mboya from a Karim Nizigiyimana pin point cross.
The goal was emotional to Tuyisenge as he ended his goal drought to lead Gor’s top scorers chart with nine.
However, Mathare managed to claw one back through Oduor who nodded a Harrison Mwendwa cross.
Mathare who host relegation threatened Sofapaka in the penultimate round of matches are placed sixth on 42 points while Gor will take on KPL Top 8 champions Muhoroni Youth.