Meddie Kagere, Ernest Wendo strikes keep Gor Mahia on top
Gor Mahia forward Medie Kagere celebrates after scoring a goal during their Sport Pesa Premier League against Sony Sugar at Moi Stadium in Kisumu on April 15, 2017. Gor won 2-1. PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI |
What you need to know:
Meddie Kagere struck the winner just four minutes after the restart after George Abeg had cancelled out Ernest Wendo's rare first half opener for Gor Mahia.
Gor Mahia moved four points clear at the summit of the SportPesa Premier League table with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Sony Sugar at Moi stadium, Kisumu on Saturday.
Ernest Wendo opened the scoring for K’Ogalo in the 22nd minute before George Abege restored parity seven minutes to the break.
Veteran Rwandan striker Meddie Kagere sealed Gor’s win three minutes after the breather to hand coach Marcelo Ferreira his fourth win in five matches this season.
“We played well today, we dominated in both halves and that won us the match. We are keen to build on this win ahead of our next encounter. I must admit that our opponents were also good," said Gor Mahia coach Marcelo Ferreira.
His Sony Sugar counterpart Salim Babu refused to talk to the press after the match.
The 15-time champions started the match on a high and could have taken the lead in the first minute had Rwandan import Jacques Tuyisenge held his nerve to nod home Meddie Kagere’s cross.
The combination of Kagere and Godfrey Walusimbi proved handful full back Eugene Ochieng, earning Gor Mahia two fruitless corners towards the sixth minute.
With 2016 Most Valuable Player Kenneth Muguna and Ernest Wendo bossing the midfield, Sony’s lone striker George Abege was starved off possession with his only opportunity to rattle Gor’s defence in the 15th minute halted by the assistant referees’ flag for an offside.
Wendo finally broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute with a super volley from 22 metres that beat Sony custodian Kevin Otieno.
Abege cancelled Wendo’s effort with a brilliant solo effort. Ugandan picked the ball from inside Gor Mahia’s box, beat his two markers before slotting the ball past Boniface Oluoch to ensure both sides head for the breather level.
But just three minutes after the restart, Kagere raced past defenders Justine Omary and Samuel Olare to stretch K’Ogalo’s lead.
NDIRANGU ON
Marcelo then summoned John Ndirangu for Tuyisenge on the hour mark while Emma Mwamba came in for Marwa Chamberi on the other end.
Amos Asembeka, who was dull in the first half, then managed a shot on target from Fredrick Onyango’s cross a minute later.
The introduction of Ndirangu added some sharpness in Gor’s attack as he managed to fire three shots on target that were easily dealt with by Kevin Otieno.
Kagere was then replaced by George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo with 13 minutes left while Babu responded by resting Asembeka for Curtis Wekesa to try salvage the match.
Former Ushuru midfielder Philemon Otieno was then handed a late cameo by Marcelo, replacing Rwandan star Jean-Baptiste Mugiraneza as Gor cruised to victory.
