Gor slay Sharks at Thika

Former league champions Gor Mahia on Sunday made a statement of intent in their opening match of the SportPesa Premier League, beating newcomers Kariobangi Sharks 3-1 at the Thika Municipal Stadium.

At Afraha Stadium in Nakuru, 10-man Posta Rangers recovered from a poor start after Gilbert Onsonga had been sent off in the 72nd minute to beat newcomers Zoo Kericho 1-0, with a goal from Dennis Mukaisi in the 77th minute.

And at Awendo Green Stadium, Chemelil Sugar beat hosts Sony Sugar 2-0 with second-half goals from Edwin Omondi (55th minute) and Victor Ademba (72nd minute).

At Thika, first half goals from new signing JeanBaptiste Mugiraneza, defender Harun Shakava and Rwandan Jacques Tuyisenge helped 15-time Kenya champions Gor move past Sharks who are on their debut season in the top flight league. Mathew Odongo scored Sharks’ consolation for Sharks in added time.

GOR DOMINATED

The 2015 champions served up a performance worthy of title contenders as coach Marcelo Ferreira experimented with 3-5-2 formation a second time.

Earlier on at the same venue, 2008 champions Mathare United came from behind to overcome Thika United 3-2, in the process registering a brilliant start to the new season.

At the Awendo Green Stadium, hosts Sony Sugar lost 2-0 to Chemelil Sugar as ten-man Posta Rangers demonstrated superiority over newly-promoted side Zoo Kericho by defeating them 1-0 at the Afraha stadium.

In Thika, K’Ogalo defender Harun Shakava opened the scoring in the 17th minute, running wide to position himself on target to receive a long ball and headed it past former Mathare United goalkeeper Robert Mboya.

After 20 minutes of trying, new signing from Rwanda JeanBaptiste Mugiraneza opened his account in the Kenyan league with a superb finish to give the 15-time champions a comfortable and well deserving lead heading into the break.

Stories by Cellestine Olilo, Gaitano Pessa and Francis Mureithi