Champs Gor off to a flying start, Tusker held
Gor Mahia fans celebrate a goal during their Kenyan Premier League match against Mathare United at City Stadium on February 21, 2015. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |
What you need to know:
- Tusker share the spoils in thrilling clash with Thika United
- K’Ogalo crush Mathare, Sony gun down Ulinzi while Stima shock KCB in opening day of the season
- In Nakuru, Ulinzi Stars began their campaign on losing note when they were gunned down 2-0 by Sony Sugar at Afraha Stadium.
- At the Thika Municipal Stadium, Tusker FC rallied from behind to share the spoils 1-1 with Thika United.
Champions Gor Mahia got their Kenyan Premier League title defence off to a flying start with an impressive 4-2 win over Mathare United at the City Stadium on Saturday.
Victor Ali Abondo and Michael Olunga claimed a brace each in an entertaining game. Noah Abich also struck a brace for Mathare. The veteran player grabbed his first from the spot while the second was a brilliant free kick that gave goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch no chance, but it could do little to stem the tide from Gor.
Prior to kick off, the players observed a minute silence in honour of Gor Mahia’s departed physio Dennis Omondi, who passed on earlier this week.
K’Ogalo got off the blocks with Abondo - a maligned figure at Tusker last term - striking his first goal of the evening in the 15th minute before his second in the 74th minute when he made the most out of a Godfrey Walusimbi’s sumptuous pass in the six yard box.
Mathare United's Eric Mmata (left) challenges Gor Mahia goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch during their Kenyan Premier League match at City Stadium on February 21, 2015. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |
In the second half, Mathare introduced Harrison Mwendwa, who injected more pace but could not help salvage a point.
In the early kick-off, visiting Western Stima hammered Kenya Commercial Bank 2-0. Ronald Okoth, a January signing from Nairobi Stima, scored the first goal in the 28th minute before Etone Simiyu doubled their account with a cracker 20 yards out.
In Nakuru, Ulinzi Stars began their campaign on losing note when they were gunned down 2-0 by Sony Sugar at Afraha Stadium.
Sony scored their opener in the seventh minute through Marwa Chamberi before Samwel Onyango grabbed the second in the 62nd minute.
HANDLED IN THE BOX
“This is a bad start and the team must work harder. We had gifted goals but my strikers missed easy target. We must win our next match,” said Ulinzi coach Robert Matano. Sony coach Zedekiah Otieno said: “It feels good and great to win the match opener as it gives the boys confidence to win the next match.”
At the Thika Municipal Stadium, Tusker FC rallied from behind to share the spoils 1-1 with Thika United.
The two teams were wasteful throughout the match but after a barren first half, Wycliffe Opondo put the home team ahead after picking up a rebound from Tusker goalkeeper Faruk Shikalo.
The brewers then benefited from a penalty awarded three minutes later after Kennedy Otieno had handled in the box, and midfielder Ismail Dunga did not miss the mark with the resultant penalty.
The brewers had put through a rich squad composed of new signings Patrick Oboya, James Situma and Humphrey Mieno and they dominated play.
Reports by Isaac Swila, Francis Mureithi and Cellestine Olilo
