Gor Mahia open sizeable gap over AFC Leopards after win over Sofapaka

Gor Mahia handed themselves some breathing space over AFC Leopards after opening up a four-point buffer at the summit of the FKF Premier League following a comprehensive 3-0 victory over relegation-threatened Sofapaka.

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K’Ogalo went into the match sitting pretty atop the league table with 37 points, one more than their arch-rivals, AFC Leopards, with Kakamega Homeboyz coming in at third with a distant 28 points.

Gor went clear at the apex of the table after the Leagues and Competition Committee (LCC) upheld the 1-1 result of their abandoned match against Nairobi United played on Sunday, 21 December.

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The match began at a high pace, Sofapaka troubling Gor Mahia in the early minutes through their direct attacks, but they could only result in a flurry of corners in the opening 10 minutes.

Gor Mahia settled into the game from the 10th minute, and it was not long before they capitalised on their spell of possession.

From an Enock Morrison long throw, newly signed Frank Odhiambo rose high to head home in the 13th minute for his first goal since re-signing for the club a fortnight ago.

Five minutes later, it was the turn of his central defense partner, Sylvester Owino. From a Gor corner, Sofapaka cleared their lines, but as far as Jackson Dwang, who whipped in a tantalising cross that Owino headed into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

Buoyed by the goal, K’Ogalo enjoyed an even higher spell in possession, exchanging short and quick passes with Shariff Musa proving to be a headache to the Sofapaka defense.

The 21-time league champions would then suffer a blow in the 30th minute when Cameroonian striker Patrick Esombe was stretchered off with an injury, as Ebenezer Assifuah took his place, much to the cheers of the Green Army.

In the 32nd minute, Musa received a ball from the middle of the pitch, used his speed to drive into the box and just when he was about to pull the trigger, he was brought down by Stephen Bonny with referee Josephine Wanjiru pointing to the spot.

Ghanaian forward Ebenezer Adukwaw stepped forward and held his nerve to send Brian Olang'o the wrong way as he rolled the ball to the right side.

Assifuah had a chance to score the fourth in the 40th minute when he was freed by Musa in a quick transition. However, after dribbling past Shaibu Iddrissu, his goal-bound shot was saved by Olang'o.

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K’Ogalo were back at it in the 45th minute through Jackson Dwang, who picked up a loose ball outside the box, but his shot missed the target and went over the bar.

The South Sudan international was also the recipient of the last chance of the first half, but this time, his shot was saved by Olang'o, with the teams headed to the half-time break shortly thereafter.

With three goals in the bag, K’Ogalo resumed the second half with less urgency, opting to keep the ball, conserve their energy and keep a clean sheet.

K'Ogalo had the first chance of the half in the 48th minute courtesy of Assifuah, but his goalward shot was blocked.

Sofapaka also had a chance of their own in the 55th minute, but Clifton Miheso’s shot was saved by Bryne Omondi in the Gor Mahia post.

Adukwaw had K’Ogalo’s next chance in the 58th minute, but his curled effort went inches wide off the right post.

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With Gor dominating proceedings, they would also get a chance in the 73rd minute through Assifuah, who was put through on goal by Morisson, but his shot hit the side netting.

Gor Mahia fans would then get a chance to cheer in the 80th minute when former AFC Leopards captain Lewis Bandi was introduced for Paul Ochuoga. Nyayo went into a frenzy with every touch of Bandi for the rest of the match greeted by a cheer.

In the end, Gor cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory that took them to the 40-point mark, extending their lead at the top of the table to four points.

Tusker 1-1 Posta Rangers

In the other match of the day, Tusker FC and Posta Rangers battled to a 1-1 draw in a match played at St. Sebastian Park, Murang'a.

Tusker scored through Alex Onchwari in the second minute of the first half, added time, before Posta equalised in the 52nd minute through Kevin Juma.