Muhoroni Youth stun Gor Mahia to claim Top 8 title

Gor Mahia's George Odhiambo (left) shields the ball away from Muhoroni Youth's Paul Muchika in a past KPL match at the Moi Stadium Kisumu. Muhoroni beat Gor Mahia 1-0 to win the KPL Top 8 competition on October 16, 2016. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO |

What you need to know:

  • Gor, who were the bookmakers pre-match favourites, were outdone by a moment of madness in the 61st minute when Muhoroni`s Kennedy Rono pounced on a mistake by Harun Shakava to charge forward before rounding the on-rushing Jerim Onyango to slot home.
  • On the pitch, it was a sweet-savoured victory for Muhoroni`s stop-gap coach, Tom Juma, who put to the sword K`Ogalo, a club he turned out for in the 90s.
  • Frustrated by their capitulation, Gor goons as has become their trademark whenever they lose high-stakes matches reverted to hooliganism causing the match to be stopped for over ten minutes late in the second half while the teargas canisters camouflaged the stadium at the end of the game as fans took cover.

Muhoroni Youth on Sunday shocked Gor Mahia 1-0 in a chaotic Kenyan Premier League Top 8 final that ended prematurely at Nyayo National Stadium.

Muhoroni were poised to be crowned champions and walk away with the Sh1 million cash prize, but some rowdy Gor fans turned unruly, leading to the abandonment of the match in the final minute of added time. Police lobbed teargas as fans took cover.

Earlier, frustrated by the turn of events, the unhappy fans caused mayhem resulting in the match being stopped for over 10 minutes.

What should have been an easy stroll for Gor turned into a nightmare, all but ending the Kenyan Premier League champions’ realistic chance of silverware this term. K’Ogalo were also bundled out of the GOtv Shield.

In the clash, Gor paid dearly in the 61st minute when Muhoroni’s Kennedy Rono capitalised on a mistake by Harun Shakava to charge forward before rounding the on-rushing keeper Jerim Onyango to slot home.

It was an easy goal, executed with sheer precision, while Gor’s attackers Jacques Tuyisenge and Meddie Kagere fumbled. In the end, Gor’s dominance went to waste.

K’Ogalo under Jose “Ze Maria” have been blowing hot and cold this term. Their inconsistency has seen them fall seven points behind Tusker in the league title race. With only five matches left, the K’Ogalo nation will require nothing short of a miracle to claim the title.

It was sweet victory for Muhoroni’s stop-gap coach Tom Juma who put Gor to the sword. Juma played for the club in the 1990’s.

Kagere could have put Gor ahead in the 10th minute but missed a gilt-edged chance from a Tuyisenge cross.
Thereafter, Tuyisenge and George “Blackberry” Odhiambo made several fruitless attempts, but neither could find the mark as Muhoroni claimed a famous win.