Okoth's late strike steers Gor past Nairobi City Stars

Collins ‘Gattuso’ Okoth was the unlikely hero, scoring at the death as Gor Mahia overcame stubborn Nairobi City Stars 2-1 at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.

In Nakuru, Ulinzi Stars eclipsed Ushuru 3-2 while at the Mbaraki Sports Club, Bandari floored battling Muhoroni Youth 2-1 in a tempestuous showdown.

At the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, Tusker and Sofapaka shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Gor sprang to a 22nd minute lead with the towering centre-half Harun Shakava volleying into the box.

It was, however, City’s lead striker Ezekiel Odera, who hogged the limelight with a superb goal two minutes later, which can be a contender for the goal of the season.

Picked by the troublesome Jimmy Bageya, Odera flicked an aerial ball leaving his markers for dead then controlled it with a deft touch before completing his magic with a simple finish. However, Okoth sneaked in a late goal to spark wild celebrations from the Green Army.

FIVE-GOAL FEST

In Machakos, Moses “Dube” Odhiambo headed in a free kick by Wycliffe Opondo in the 30th minute to give the financially ailing Sofapaka the lead but  the unconvincing brewers saved face through Shafik Batambuze’s equaliser in the 59th minute.

At Afraha, three penalties accounted for the five-goal fest as the soldiers held their nerves to edge out Ushuru.

Ulinzi’s marksman John Mark Makwatta was the star of the show plundering a hat-trick in the 22nd, 36th and 57 minutes to stretch his season’s tally to 11, while Kennedy Oduor and Maurice Odipo were on target for the taxmen.

In Mombasa, tempers flared as centre referee flashed red cards on Bandari’s shot stopper Wilson Oburu midway through the second half while Muhoroni Youth’s striker and the league’s top scorer Wycliffe Ochomo also got marching orders in stoppage time as the dockers ran out  2-1 winners.

David King’atua and Shaban Kenga scored for the hosts while Ochomo was on the mark for Muhoroni.