Gor edge Leopards in Mashemeji Derby

Gor Mahia on Sunday claimed the bragging rights over the old enemy AFC Leopards after winning the 80th Mashemeji Derby 2-0 at the Nyayo National Stadium to reignite their Kenyan Premier League title hopes.

With Tusker drawing 1-1 with Nairobi City Stars at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru, the battle for the gong could go to the wire.

The brewers are now on 52 points, four more than K'Ogalo who are on 48, making for an intriguing race as the two teams are set to face off in the final day of action with three matches to go.

After a dull first half that presented so little on a game that had so much at stake, the match cracked to life after the interval when Ugandan-born Rwandan forward Meddie Kagere calmly converted from the penalty spot in the 67th minute after Jacques Tuyisenge had been upended in the box.

The burly Enock Agwanda, who had come on for Collins ‘Gattuso’ Okoth then confirmed the win in the 81st minute by dashing into the box to slot in a cross from left back Eric "Marcelo" Ouma to ignite celebrations from the Green Army.

Gor got off the blocks faster when Kagere flung in a cross into the box but George "Blackberry" Odhiambo failed to fire in the second minute

Two minutes later, Odhiambo, set up Tuyisenge but the latter’s bid to flick the ball over his marker fell flat in the danger area.

The match played exactly six years since the fatal derby on October 23, 2010 that left seven dead from a stampede on a rain-swept evening saw several chances go to waste.

Odhiambo and Tuyisenge missed several chances while, Paul- Mungai Kiongera also missed two for Ingwe.

“It (the victory) is very important for us because we still dream of the title. We have to do our part. We still have two matches to go and one against them (Tusker) which we have to win,” Gor’s Brazilian coach, Jose ‘Ze Maria’ Fereira said.

Leopards’ caretaker coach, Ezekiel Akwana, who had promised to cage Gor before the game, was a humbled man in his post-match observations.

“We made mistakes which cost us. There was a lapse in defence and you could see it especially in the second half. The injury to Mang’oli (Bernard) also left us with limited options.”

At the Moi Stadium in Kisumu, Western Stima battled to 1-1 draw with visiting Ulinzi Stars'. The home side fell behind in the 10th minute courtesy of John Kago’s spot kick. However, Henry Omino's Stima responded immediately through Wesley Kemboi who restored parity 10 minutes later connecting Wesley Onguso’s cross.