Gor Mahia kick-start league resurgence with win over 10-man City Stars

The 23rd meeting between the two sides was off to a flier with Gor Mahia aiming to catch City Stars cold in the opening two minutes as Kenneth Muguna was presented with an early chance to had K'Ogalo an early lead.

City Stars grew into the game as time went by but profligacy costed them upfront with Eric Ombija and Davis Agesa guilty of squandering a number of chances.

Gor Mahia sent an initial warning to City Stars of sign of things to come as Abdul Zoko's cross evaded everyone and fell to John Macharia but the former Kolkheti Poti midfielder made a glaring miss as he fired his effort wide with a gaping goal ahead of him.

Gor Mahia made good their threat and broke the deadlock at the stroke of the half hour mark when Miheso's cross caught Steve Njunge by surprise but the crossbar came to his rescue but the ball fell kindly for Abdul Zoko for the simplest of tap ins - this becoming his first goal in Gor Mahia colour since joining the club from Armenian side Gandzasar in the mid season transfer window with his CV boasting of an appearance in the 2009 Under 17 World Cup for Burkina Faso.

Second half

City Stars had a chance to ease Sanjin Alagić half time pep talk when they won a free-kick at the edge of the penalty area which Anthony Muki Kimani struck but cannoned off the ball and he reloaded his shot that forced an outstanding save from Gad Mathew's as Gor went into the break with a lead.

Gor Mahia had a mirror start to the second half as they came close in the 55th minute when Muguna rolled a free kick to Miheso whose ferocious shot tested the palms of Njunge who parried out for a corner.

Former Gor Mahia forward Nicholas Kipkirui was finally given the nod by Alagić in the 63rd minute for the injured Oliver Maloba.

City Stars' hopes of salvaging a point from the game were dealt a severe blow when they reduced to 10 men in the 73rd minute after Eric Ombija caught Frank Odhiambo on the face.

Gor suffered a huge scare in the 90th minute when Nicholas Kipkirui breached the K'Ogalo rear guard and was left one on one with Gad but the latter's outstretched arm took the ball off the former Zoo FC forward with Geoffrey Ochieng clearing his lines.

Vaz Pinto's side held on for the win to secure three vital points and reignite their dim hopes of retaining the title.