Classy Gor crush Thika United
Thika United's Eugene Mukangula (left) goes past Gor Mahia's Harun Shakava during their Kenyan Premier League match on April 22, 2018 at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos County. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- Thika drew the first blood through Eugene Mukangula’s left foot volley five minutes into the match, but Ivorian Ephreim Guikan levelled at the stroke of halftime.
- Congolese Mata Masakidi restored Thika's lead with a spectacular free kick at the hour mark, but a howler from Thika custodian Allan Owiny cancelled out the goal four minutes later.
- Samuel Onyango, who came on for Raphael Asudi in the 65th minute, added the third in the 73rd minute for K'Ogalo before substitutes Meddie Kagere and Francis Kahata treated themselves to two wonderful strikes the final three minutes.
Reigning champions Gor Mahia are back on top of the Kenyan Premier League table after an impressive 5-2 win over a stubborn Thika United in a seven-goal thriller played at a soggy Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Sunday.
Thika drew the first blood through Eugene Mukangula’s left foot volley five minutes into the match, but Ivorian Ephreim Guikan levelled at the stroke of halftime.
Congolese Mata Masakidi restored Thika's lead with a spectacular free kick at the hour mark, but a howler from Thika custodian Allan Owiny cancelled out the goal four minutes later.
Samuel Onyango, who came on for Raphael Asudi in the 65th minute, added the third in the 73rd minute for K'Ogalo before substitutes Meddie Kagere and Francis Kahata treated themselves to two wonderful strikes the final three minutes.
Gor go top of the standings on 25 points albeit with three games in hand.
Thika United's Eugene Mukangula (left) goes past Gor Mahia's Harun Shakava during their Kenyan Premier League match on April 22, 2018 at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos County. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Thika, who came into the match on the back of two wins in 18 premier league meetings against Gor, were condemned to their fifth loss of the season to remain second last with nine points after 11 rounds.
As expected, Gor coach Dylan Kerr made massive changes to the team that played SuperSport United in the Caf Confederation Cup play-off return match last week.
From the team that suffered a 2-1 defeat to the South Africans but qualified for the group stages of Caf’s second football elite competition, only Captain Harun Shakava and defence partner Joash Onyango earned starting berths with Shaban Odhoji handed the gloves.
Gor Mahia's Ephreim Guikan celebrates his goal against Thika United during their Kenyan Premier League match on April 22, 2018 at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos County. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Mukangula lurched onto a through ball to turn his marker inside out before burying to the roof of the net with Odhoji caught napping.
Guikan made a mazy run into the penalty area but Thika defence cleared their lines from the resultant cross.
Baraka Badi escaped an early send-off in the 17th minute when he slushed novice Raphael Asudi.
Shakava saw his effort ricochet off the crossbar from inside the area after connecting to Lawrence Juma’s via pass.
Jacques Tuyisenge exhibited his experience in the 44th minute, muscling his markers off the ball before squaring to Guikan and the Ivorian had no chance but to slot past Allan Owiny in the Thika goal.
Gor visit Chemelil on Wednesday, while Thika hosts Nzoia Sugar on the same day.
