10-man City Stars hand Gor Mahia first defeat of season

A shorthanded Gor Mahia side fell to their first defeat of the 2024-2025 FKF Premier League season after going 2-1 down to 10-man Nairobi City Stars at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Monday 28 October.

Coming in without five key starters who are currently involved with the national team - Harambee Stars - in the CHAN Qualifiers, K'Ogalo failed to capitalize on a first-half advantage to allow Nicholas Muyoti's men back into the game, effectively registering their first win of the season.

Gor Mahia, who came into the contest with a clean record of three wins and zero goals conceded, looked to be going in the right direction when left-back Levin Odhiambo put them in the lead after 23 minutes with a long range effort that Edwin Mukolwe couldn't keep out.

But as the tie settled, City Stars seemed to up their tempo thanks to a massively altered Gor Mahia defense-line that either coughed up opportunities for the opposition, or engineered some nervy moments with the ball.

And after being held in the first half, Simba wa Nairobi effectively got what their efforts warranted when Robinson Asenwa ghosted through the K'ogalo backline to equalize in the hour-mark.

Moments later, Dennis Oalo punished his former side with a second goal that seemed to come off his chest, feeding off a delightful Asenwa cross from the right.

City Stars had to dig deep for the win however, as Edwin Buliba was sent off in the 89th minute after picking a second yellow card.

But even with seven minutes of added time and with an extra man, Leo Martins Neiva was left scratching his head as his rotated side failed to answer the bell.

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There was obvious concern for the defending FKF Premier League champions when the day's lineup was out, featuring names that haven't had a consistent run of games this season.

Owing to national team duties, Neiva missed the services of his entire four-man defense, and the league's most creative player.

It was therefore not a surprise to see them struggle with possession early on, but sceptics will have it that City Stars created more and better chances, and still found a way to grind out a win eight minutes with a man down.

Bar Odhiambo's strike - which took a fortunate bounce to catch Mukolwe out - Gor rarely threatened enough, with Shariff Musa being the sole route to goal.

On the opposite side of the ball, Asenwa on several occasions took advantage of the K'Ogalo high line, and on top of the two goals, Sven Yidah, Mohammed Bajaber, and Oalo could have made the score-line worse.

And so while City Stars take delight in a first win that lifts them off the relegation zone, Gor Mahia, who face Murang'a Seal next, can't wait for their boys to return home.