Gor Mahia sink Vegeterianos in Machakos

Gor Mahia on Saturday edged out visiting Equatorial Guinea’s Leones Vegeterianos 2-0 in the first leg of their Caf Champions League preliminary round tie at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

Gor, who were making a return to the continental scene after a year-long absence, took a first half lead through Kevin 'Ade' Omondi before substitute Ephrem Guikan added a second with a ferocious drive to give K'Ogalo a commanding lead going into the return leg in Malabo in 10 day's time.

Midfield maestro Humphrey Mieno, himself culpable of wasting a penalty in the match, released striker Meddie Kagere on the left flank before the Ugandan-born Rwandan forward passed to Francis Kahata, who's cut-back was slotted home by Omondi past a hapless Manuel Sapunga in the Vegeterianos goal. Guikan, a second half substitute for Odhiambo, took a well-time shot from the edge of the box which gave Sapunga no chance.

The hosts, backed by a sizeable crowd in the stands, were quick off the blocks and could have been a goal up in the opening five minutes but George 'Blackberry' Odhiambo skied Wellington Ochieng's well-timed pass before Kagere also wasted another chance.

With Gor leading 1-0 and fans pushing thee players to kill off the match, the centre referee was forced to point to the spot after Odhiambo was brought down inside the area, but Mieno's shot from 12 yards was saved by Sapunga.

The visitors, completely overwhelmed by the rampant Gor, struggled to string together any meaningful passes and posed no threat for the hosts throughout the match.

WALUSIMBI RETURNS

Gor coach Dylan Kerr had tweaked his starting line-up, reinstating Ugandan utility Godfrey Walusimbi into the starting 11 to replace left-back Wesley Onguso who started in that position in their league opener last weekend against Nakumatt.

He retained first choice goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch between the posts, as captain Harun Shakava marshalled the four-man defence that also included Walusimbi, Joash Onyango and Wellington Ochieng.

And as a display of their hunger for early goals, Kerr opted for an offensive frontline that had Kagere as the target man, with Omondi, Odhiambo, Kahata and Mieno all helping him in his mission.

Guikan's stinger moments after coming on for Odhiambo seemed to have taken the sting out of the Equatorial Guineans, whose sluggish approach could have been punished by the hosts had they taken all their chances.

Guikan had another go at it in the 71st minute but his effort bounced off Joash's head and off the field of play.

"This was a fantastic performance straight from kick off. It is all what I have asked the players to do and I am very pleased with my players. It is a precious win and I hope we get a clean bill of health as we prepare to the second leg," a delighted coach Kerr said after the match.

Kerr's boys will travel to Equatorial Guinea for the return leg which will be staged on February 21 in Malabo.