K'Ogalo go top of league

Dylan Kerr's tenure as Gor Mahia coach got off to a flying start on Sunday as the team beat Nakumatt 2-0 at the Nyayo National Stadium in a SportPesa Premier League match.

Eugene Ambulwa turned the ball in his own net just five minutes after kick off and George "BlackBerry" Odhiambo sealed the victory with a brilliant goal from solo effort at the death.

For the first time this season, reserve goalkeeper Peter Odhiambo was preferred to start between the sticks for Gor, and was deputised by Shabban Odhoji as the more regular Boniface Oluoch is away on compassionate leave.

Boniface Omondi, the highly gifted forward acquired in June from Nzoia United, also started in the right wing as Kerr effected the return to a 4-4-2 strategy from the 3-5-2 approach preferred by his predecessor Marcelo Ferreira.

Nakumatt on the other hand, presented their best stars, with experienced striker Kepha Aswani leading the strike force with help from Boniface Akenga.

K'Ogalo had the upper hand from the get go, and were up by the fifth minute when Eugene Ambulwa, in an effort to drive out a free-kick floated into the area by Godfrey Walusimbi, headed the ball into the net.

The hosts had several more chances afterwards, but Meddie Kagere, Jacques Tuyisenge and BlackBerry Odhiambo all had their shots blocked by Nakumatt custodian Sammy Okinda.

Kepha Aswani blasted horribly wide from long range in the 25th minute, but the debutantes first real chance came in the 32nd minute when Boniface Akenga forced a fingertip save from Odhiambo with a well executed shot.

The story of missed chances continued in the second half, with Omondi turning Kennedy Onyango inside out but failing on his final shot due to inaccuracy.

Meddie Kagere also blasted wide in the 56th minute, when he had only the goalkeeper to beat, much to the chagrin of the K'Ogalo fans.

Nakumatt improved and Gor were in serious danger in the last 15 minutes of the game, as Nakumatt forwards repeatedly made invasions into the box.

With time running out, second half substitute George Odhiambo collected the ball and raced homewards in a counterattack that ended with him planting the ball beautifully into the net.

"That was a good performance, I am happy especially with the second half. We wasted a lot of chances in the first half, but Nakumatt really opened up the game in the second half and we had a better performance," Gor coach Dylan Kerr said.

SUNDAY'S RESULTS

Kariobangi Sharks 1-1 Zoo Kericho

Gor Mahia 2-0 Nakumatt

Tusker 1-1 Posta Rangers