Tuyisenge strikes to send Gor back to the top

Defending champions Gor Mahia on Saturday beat winless Vihiga United 1-0 at Moi Stadium in Kisumu to dislodge Mathare United from the top spot of the Kenya Premier League (KPL) table.

Mathare had stormed into the summit of the standings on Friday on 17 points following their 1-0 win over Chemelil Sugar in Machakos, but they are now placed second, two points behind the 16-time champions who have a game in-hand.

Saturday’s victory was a morale booster for Gor, whose last outing was a bitter 1-0 loss to Tunisian giants Esperance which cut-short their Caf Champions League campaign a fortnight ago.

Gor Mahia took the lead through Jacques Tuyisenge’s strike on 59 minutes after he was released by Francis Kahata inside the area.

Gor coach Dylan Kerr said he was satisfied with the win.

"We train a lot before every game because we want to play better in every match. It was a narrow win but it is a positive result, we have all the three points thanks to our hard work," said Kerr.

The champions were quick off the blocks with skipper Harun Shakava testing Vihiga goalkeeper Barnabas Tiema after nine minutes as Kerr's charges went all out in search of an early lead.

After a spell of dominance, Uganda-born Rwandan forward Meddie Kagere found Kahata but the Kenyan international could not find the target.

A beautiful run by Chris Masinza on the left wing saw the visitors make their fast onslaught on goal but did not trouble goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch.

Tuyisenge could have given Gor the lead midway through the opening half after beating Dennis Mbeva to the ball but the Rwandan captain fluffed his lines.

Tiema again denied Tuyisenge from point blank, this time making a goal-line clearance.

After the goal, Kerr introduced Ivorian forward Ephrem Guikan for Samuel Onyango on 66 minutes while Edward Manoah responded by bringing on Patrick Okullo for Charles Okwemba three minutes later.

Tiema then denied Humphrey Mieno a chance to double Gor's lead after 71 minutes.

Vihiga's Michael Asabwa then failed to beat Oluoch with 10 minutes to go.

Guikan thought he had added a second on 86 minutes but his celebrations were cut short after the referee blew for a foul on Tiema.

Manoah admitted they had lost to a superior team.

"While we have not won the game, I think we played better,” Manoah said.