Gor Mahia ease past Sofapaka to move top of KPL table

Champions Gor Mahia’s intent to hold on to their SportPesa Premier League trophy for a fourth straight season remained well on course after silencing basement side Sofapaka 2-0 at Kisumu’s Moi Stadium yesterday to wrap up their leg one fixtures.

The win pushed Gor to the top of the league table on goal-difference after previous leaders Tusker were held to a 2-2 draw by AFC Leopards.

Both K’Ogalo goals were scored in the first half through Ugandan midfielder Khalid Aucho and skipper Musa Mohammed as Marcelo “Ze Maria” Ferreira’s side moved to 29 points.

Club top score Jacques Tuyisenge squandered numerous scoring chances.

Aucho nodded in the opener with only six minutes played though Sofapaka custodian Everest Mutiyimana had saved his first attempt from inside the box but was unlucky to punch the ball onto the Ugandan’s path.

Minutes later Sofapaka, who until that goal had placed men in their half as they soaked in attacks from Gor’s lethal partnership of Tuyisenge and George “Blackberry” Odhiambo, responded through Njehia Karanja who saw his header hit the side netting.

Gor coach Ferreira brought it Luke Ochieng’ for Karim Nizigiyimana in the 31st minute after the Burundian right-back picked an injury.

Captain Mohammed doubled the score with a powerful header in the 35th minute after he was fed by Innocent Wafula, who picked a short corner pass from Godfrey Walusimbi.

Sofapaka defender Collins Omondi was lucky not to worsen matters when his clearance in the 38th minute almost resulted to an own goal but went out for a corner.

Tuyisenge could have snatched his seventh of the season before the break but his clever chip over Mutiyimana went inches over the bar.

On resumption, Brian Nyakan replaced Karanja as Sofapaka tried to fight back in vain.

“I am happy with the display, we will work hard to continue with this winning mentality. Our plan worked well,” Ferreira said after the match.

Ouma, who cut an animated figure after the final whistle, conceded that they had lost to a superior side.

“We conceded easy goals on set pieces. We are going back to the drawing board to prepare for the second leg of the league,” said Ouma.

TUSKER HELD

In Machakos, Tusker failed to go past AFC Leopards in their thrilling 2-2 draw – a result that saw the brewers surrender the league leadership to Gor Mahia.

Alfred Wekesa and Allan Katerregga twice gave Leopards the lead, but Shafique Batambuze and Ekaliani Ndolo ensured the brewers picked up a point from the match that completed the first leg schedule for both teams.

"This was an open game but at times we struggled to impose ourselves or even come to terms with their creativity," Tusker's Ugandan coach Paul Nkata said.

Leopards meanwhile, extend their winless streak in the league to seven matches move to sixth on the log.

"I am a bit happy with the way we played, especially with the decision making of some players that I gave chances. This isn't however the result I wanted," Leopards coach Ivan Minnaert reflected after the game.