Gor Mahia Nicholas Kipkurui celebrating third goal with Bonface Omondi. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 25 – Nicholas Kipkirui grabbed the headlines after starring in the return leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round, inspiring Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia to rip apart Burundi side Aigle Noi 5-1 and storm into the final round before the group stage.
The match that was hosted at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium on Sunday saw Kipkirui hit a brace in the first half before the visitors gifted Gor with an own goal as Boniface Omondi and Dickson Ambundo found the back of the net each to see the 18-time KPL champions win 5-1 on aggregate and head to the final round.
Agle Noir goalkeeper Aime Ndizeye beaten by Gor’s Nicholas Kipkirui. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
K’Ogalo had been held to a goalless draw in the first leg away in Bunjubura.
Gor will now meet the winner between AS SONIDEP of Niger and Algeria’s USM Alger who face each other later tonight. Alger has a leading advantage of 2-1.
Gor Mahia coach Steve Pollack instructs Captain Kenneth Muguna. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
Kipkirui got the first goal nine minutes after kick-off when a cross from skipper Kenneth Muguna, intended for Kipkirui, came off a Burundian defender to see Kipkirui slam the ball home.
The Gor striker would complete his brace on the 20th minute when he nodded home to hand the home side a 2-0 lead before initiating an own goal on the 37th minute.
Gor Mahia’s Nicholas Kipkurui, Bonface Omondi and Wellingtone Ochieng celebrating. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYA
The second half would be more explosive as new signing Dickson Ambundo would grab his debut goal for K’Ogalo with a close-range tap-in after 66 minutes. He would later turn provider five minutes later to set up Boniface Omondi who made it 5-0.
The visitors would get a consolation in the 75th minute.
-Additional reporting from Soka-
