Chrispin Oduor halts Gor Mahia's title charge in Thika

An early Chrispin Oduor strike is what Mathare United needed to derail Gor Mahia's charge to a 16th SportPesa Premier League title at the Thika Sub-County Stadium on Saturday.

Oduor's fifth minute goal gave Mathare United a 1-0 win over the runaway league leaders - a similar result to their first leg meeting - subjecting Dylan Kerr to his first loss as Gor Mahia manager in 12 matches.

Kerr was forced to make a second minute substitution after Burundian Karim Nizigiyimana was withdrawn for Innocent Wafula with an injury, and Mathare did not wait long to pile on more misery on Gor.

Burly striker Chris Ochieng' created some space on the left wing before teeing up an unmarked Cliff Nyakeya inside the area who then spotted Oduor making a clever run from outside the box. Nyakeya then released Oduor whose low shot rolled to the bottom right corner beyond Boniface Oluoch's palms.

Nizigiyimana had started for Gor in his preferred right-back position, with Wellington Ochieng on the left and Harun Shakava partnering captain Musa Mohammed in central defence.

Jacques Tuyisenge and country mate Meddie Kagere started upfront with help from on-form winger George Odhiambo.

In the absence of veteran goalkeeper Wycliffe Kasaya, Levis Opiyo continued to deputise for the absent Wycliffe Kasaya in Mathare’s goal, and he made some impressive saves especially in the second half when Gor were all out in search for an equaliser.

Kagere had a shot that was easily collected by Opiyo while Tuyisenge missed the target narrowly.

After the match, Kerr took full responsibility saying that Mathare deserved the three points.

"This is a new feeling, and it is not a pleasant one. We didn't start well. We were sloppy at the beginning and Mathare had one early chance which they made use of,” said Kerr.

"From my players there was no vibe, no enthusiasm and we created nothing. I will take the blame got this because this is not how I like my team to play."