Gor skin Leopards alive to claim Mashemeji Derby bragging rights

At the end of it all, a cringe from the AFC Leopards fan base and players alike was their only resolve from the biggest club derby in the country, as while they dominated play here, they once again remained winless this season and on the losing side.

The man of the moment being the league top scorer and tormentor in chief Benson Omala, who scored in either half to seal a comprehensive 2-0 victory for Gor Mahia at the Saturday afternoon clash at the Moi International Sports Centre - Kasarani.

If this was the sign that the winless Leopards team was ascending, then they chose the wrong day to do it.

And credit to them; their display, albeit pleasing to the eye, showed that maybe their time to win will finally come, but to which the winners of the day will care less.

A mishap in the Leopards back line created the first outlet for the visitors in green when a giveaway to Lawrence Juma was reworked for Austin Odhiambo to test Opiyo early on.

A show of why there ought to be some hope on the Leopards side shone alight, be it from Cliff Nyakeya looking pumped for the contest or new recruit Victor Ochieng causing some sustainable jitters to the Gor rearguard.

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The latter gave a nervous Kevin Omondi his first taste of action as he flapped a shot over the bar.

Pinned to their half, there was only one way K'Ogalo were going to reimpose themselves back in this fixture: - quick transition.

The following sequence of play offered a perfect look when another lost ball in midfield set Odhiambo on his way to present Omala a chance.

With Kayci Odhiambo well beaten, Opiyo gave himself a chance to close down on the man who hadn't scored a derby goal yet, and how the idea blasted on his face when the ball was looped over him for the game lead.

Going a goal down didn't seem to bear a thing on the hosts, only that they were eventually left to feed off bobbled-up balls from Omondi in goal.

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If only the script from the first half was worth anything for AFC Leopards, their pressure early on at the interval was only worth a Brian Yakhama wide header and an inevitable goal on transition.

A sweeping move on the right handed Patrick Sibomana the acres he needed to look up and connect the ball to a free Omala.

Status quo it was, as the net bulged once more, and with it carrying a burst of angst from the home crowd that retaliated with pelters to the celebrating party.

Gor Mahia had outdone the Leopard soft underbelly here, and with a couple of changes in the middle, the door to Omondi's goal effectively shut.

Opiyo in the dying minutes was a lucky man as he avoided a late dismissal. Only if his luck stood for his team.

FKF PREMIER LEAGUE - WEEK 6.

Friday.

Tusker - Shabana 0-1 (0-0)

/Vincent Nyabuto 70/

Posta Rangers - Nzoia Sugar 2-0 (0-0)

/Ken Owino 70, Brian Otieno 83/

Kakamega Homeboyz - Talanta 3-3 (2-2)

/Eshihanda 16, Kasirye 30, Shummah 57 - Ombija 37, 42, 77/

Saturday.

AFC Leopards - Gor Mahia 0-2 (0-1)

/Benson Omala 22, 56/

Nairobi City Stars - Kenya Police 0-1 (0-1)

/Tito Okello 45+3/

Murang'a Seal - Sofapaka 2-0 (2-0)

/Job Kiplangat 9, 44/

Ulinzi Stars - Kariobangi Sharks 1-0 (1-0)

/Enosh Ochieng 32/