Gor Mahia survive Bandari scare, Posta hold on to top spot

Posta Rangers on Wednesday consolidated their one-point advantage atop the SportPesa Premier League standings after their 1-0 win away to Sony Sugar.

In other results, 15-time champions Gor Mahia leapfrogged rivals AFC Leopards into second place after dismissing Bandari 2-1 at Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa.

Champions Tusker came from behind to edge out newcomers Nakumatt 2-1 in Nakuru while Sofapaka stopped AFC Leopards by a solitary goal in Machakos.

In Mumias, Kakamega Homeboyz ended Ulinzi Stars’ unbeaten run with Wycliffe Ochomo’s sixth minute strike the difference, while Kariobangi Sharks beat Thika United 1-0 as Nzoia Sugar triumphed 2-0 over Western Stima in Kisumu.

On the flipside, Western Stima, Thika United and Mathare United continued to struggle.

At the Mbaraki Sports club in Mombasa, Innocent Wafula handed the visitors a half time advantage from a 10th minute goal.

But dead ball specialist Noah Abich levelled from the penalty spot midway through the second half.

Gor had the last laugh though, as Ugandan import Godfrey Walusimbi sealed victory with a late strike.

"Losing to them (Gor) is not a surprise for they were the better team. We just need to recover fast enough and plot for a win in our next game," Bandari coach Paul Nkata said.

Tusker, meanwhile, also notched up a win - their second of this season in seven outings - at the expense of Nakumatt.

After six minutes of play in this contest at the Afraha Stadium, the retailers grabbed the match opener when Boniface Akenga dispossessed Shafik Batambuze in the danger area and laid a square pass to Kepha Aswani.

Aswani, formerly at AFC Leopards, thereafter unleashed a thunderbolt which beat Duncan Ochieng, who was manning the Tusker goal.

The brewers responded in the 75th minute when substitute Clifford Alwanga, who had replaced the off colour Allan Wanga in the 55th minute, headed in the equaliser. Two minutes later, Humphrey Mieno headed home what turned out to be the winning goal.

At Mumias Sports Complex, hosts Kakamega Homeboyz disarmed the soldiers courtesy of a sixth minute goal scored by former Ulinzi forward Wycliffe Ochomo.

Ochomo would later on be sent off in the game by match referee Anthony Ogwayo for foul play. This result ended Ulinzi's six-match unbeaten start to the league this season.

Meanwhile, second from bottom Mathare United yet again failed to post a win. The slum boys were held to a goalless draw by Chemelil Sugar in Thika.

Rodgers Omondi scored in the second half to ensure Kariobangi Sharks condemned Thika United to a second league defeat inside three days.

Nzoia Sugar were also comfortable 2-0 victors over Western Stima at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

SELECTED RESULTS
Kariobangi Sharks 1-0 Thika United

Westen Stima 0-2 Nzoia Sugar

Tusker 2-1 Nakumatt

Bandari 1-2 Gor Mahia

AFC Leopards 0-1 Sofapaka

Kakamega Homeboyz 1-0 Ulinzi Stars

Sony Sugar 0-1 Posta Rangers

Mathare United 0-0 Chemelil Sugar

Additional reporting by Vincent Opiyo, Titus Maero and Francis Mureithi