K’Ogalo storm Top 8 semis

Gor Mahia advanced to the semifinals of the KPL Top 8 by beating Thika United 2-1 in a closely contested match at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Sunday.

Dan Sserunkuma and Rama Salim scored in both halves while Thika United responded through Dennis Odhiambo’s 68th minute penalty.

Gor Mahia now join cup holders Tusker, AFC Leopards and KCB in the penultimate stage of the tournament. Thika contained K’Ogalo until just before half time, when Ugandan import Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito fed Sserunkuma with a nice pass for his countryman to open the scoring.

Gor doubled their lead in the 62nd minute thanks to Rama’s effort from second half substitute George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo’s assist.

Thika however won a penalty six minutes later when Harun Shakava was penalized for handling the ball inside the box.

NO MISTAKE

Team captain Odhiambo made no mistake from the spot for what would be mere consolation for Thika. Gor Mahia coach Bobby Williamson was later forced to bring on George Odhiambo and Israel Emuge after Innocent Mutiso and David ‘Calabar’ Owino were both injured.

Earlier on, Thika’s Joseph Kuria tested Gor Mahia goalkeeper David Juma with a long range shot which the custodian did well to save.

Thika should have drawn level in the 70th minute when Bernard Meki released Simon Mbugua who was however let down by his first touch allowing Musa Mohammed to avert the danger.

Thika’s onslaught stung Gor into reacting in the closing exchanges of the match. With 10 minutes to play, Eric Ochieng weaved through the Thika midfield before unleashing a thunderbolt that flew inches wide. A minute later, Rama almost grabbed his second goal when he controlled Timonah Wanyonyi’s cross only to shoot wide.

Then Wanyonyi was denied by Thika goalkeeper Hamza Muwonge from point blank as Gor Mahia pressed for a third goal. Thika coach John Kamau conceded defeat but heaped praise on his team.

“We played well even after conceding a soft goal in the first half. Such games are usually unpredictable but the good thing is that we can pick positives from the game,” Kamau said.

The winner of the tournament that is in its fourth edition will pocket Sh1 Million.