Tuyisenge, Onyango send Gor Mahia seven points clear

Gor Mahia striker Jacques Tuyisenge controls the ball during their SportPesa Premier League match against Tusker at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos on April 27, 2019. PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT |

What you need to know:

  • Gor - who edged the 11-time champions 1-0 in the first leg in February - opened a seven-point gap at the top with the win - with two games in hand.
  • Sofapaka, who play Mathare United on Sunday - are second on 48 points from 25 rounds.

First half goals from Jacques Tuyisenge and Samuel Onyango ensured SportPesa Premier League champions completed a double over Tusker with a 2-0 win at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Saturday.

Gor - who edged the 11-time champions 1-0 in the first leg in February - opened a seven-point gap at the top with the win - with two games in hand.

Sofapaka, who play Mathare United on Sunday - are second on 48 points from 25 rounds.

Tuyisenge tapped in the opener from close range Kenneth Muguna's cross from the right flank on 16 minutes before the former Western Stima midfielder turned provider again for Samuel Onyango's goal on 32 minutes.

Muguna combined well with Francis Kahata before the former found his way to the box. Muguna then released a cut back that Onyango attempted to score from but Tusker goalkeeper Robert Mboya parried the ball into his way before he calmly smashed into an empty net Gor's second and eventually their 15th victory in 34 meetings against the brewers.

Tusker's seventh loss this term leaves them on 38 points from 25 games with coach Robert Matano left with home work to do ahead of visiting on form Kakamega Homeboyz on Wednesday.

Mboya was the busiest of the two custodians in the first half. The former Kariobangi Sharks and Mathare United shot-stopper was forced to a brilliant save from Samuel Onyango's corner on 22 minutes.

Three minutes later, Nicholas Kipkirui neatly fed Kahata with a lobbed pass from the left flank but the latter's low strike was deflected off by Tusker defender Justine Omary for a fruitless corner.

Tusker came close on few occasions through Timothy Otieno and Omary but both their efforts were thwarted off by Gor's green shirts in defence.

Boniface Muchiri forced Gor custodian Shaban Odhoji into a finger tip save from a free-kick on 39 minutes after Muguna had fouled Timothy Otieno 25 yards out.

Tuyisenge cleared off the line Muchiri's corner kick on 50 minutes after Philemon Otieno had sent out the ball under pressure from Tusker.

Timothy Otieno thought he had reduced the deficit at the hour mark but it was rightfully ruled offside by second assistant referee Stephen Adeya. Otieno had headed home Jackson Macharia's pass from the middle of the pack after the ball deflected off Joash Onyango.

Gor coach Hassan Oktay handed Ugandan midfielder Hashim Sempala a cameo appearance in midfield against his former employers on 64 minutes, replacing the tired Ernest Wendo.

Substitute Dennis Oliech and Tuyisenge had scoring chances deep in the second half but Mboya came to the rescue.

Gor visit Ulinzi Stars in Nakuru on Monday before playing KCB on Thursday in Machakos.