Gor stay perfect, last-gasp Sofapaka stun Bandari

Gor Mahia FC kept their perfect start to the season intact after edging Zoo Kericho FC 1-0 to return top of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) standings on Sunday.

Boniface Omondi scored a scorching winner deep into the second half as the champions finally undid the visitors who put up a resilient display at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.

Gor are two clear at the summit on 12 points with KCB FC and Tusker FC, who secured wins against Nzoia Sugar and Kakamega Homeboyz, joint second but have each played one extra match.

KCB defeated Nzoia 1-0 thanks to Martin Nderitu’s stoppage time winner while goals from Luke Namanda, David Majak and George Ogutu gave Tusker a comfortable 3-1 win away at Homeboyz who got the consolation through David Okoth.

In the matchday’s only other match Sofapaka FC left it late to defeat Bandari FC 2-1, delivering the visitor’s first loss of the season at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

Willian Wadri scored to level matters for Bandari after Cercidy Okeyo had put Sofapaka ahead in the fifth minute but substitute Brian Nyakan ensured the collected all three points with a late winner.

In Nakuru, Zoo enjoyed a solid first half and should have gone into the break with the advantage after Dennis Ongeri got on the end of a quick counter attack but Joash Onyango wrestled him off the ball with Collins Neto arriving late to offer help on the right wing.

Coach Steve Pollack’s decision to withdraw Clifton Miheso for Kennedy Otieno proved a masterstroke with the former Western Stima man bringing much needed energy to the Gor midfield.

A cross from Wellington Ochieng nearly sailed all the way into the back of the net but hit the upside of the bar and goalkeeper Martin Elungat got fingertips on it to push out of for corner with Francis Afriyie waiting to ppounce.

Kenneth Muguna did an excellent job on the left wing to beat his man and swing a cross into the box. It was overhit but Otieno headed it back into play and Afriyie missed with an attempted overhead kick. Instead, he landed it on defender Kelvine Oduor and Zoo were awarded a foul.

Ochieng delivered another cross but put too much height on it. Gor came knocking again and this time did not miss as Omondi flashed home a blistering strike on the half volley after Muguna and Ondiek had combined well to lay it on a plate for him.

Ochieng should have doubled Gor’s advantage but shot straight into Elungat after he had been put through on goal by Lawrence Juma.

High Tempo

At the Kenyatta Stadium, Batoto Ba Mungu started the game on a high tempo and their efforts bear fruits just in the fifth minute when Fred Nkata shot in their own net.

Former Gor mahia midfielder Cercidy Okeyo tap in a wonderful pass meeting Lwasa Peter who released a thunder bolt shot pass Michael Wanyika before deflecting Nkata into their own net.

The home side started the game on a high tempo and their efforts bear fruits in the fourth minute when Fred Nkata shot in their own net.

Former Gor mahia midfielder Cercidy Okeyo tap in a wonderful pass meeting Lwasa Peter who released a thunder bolt shot pass Michael Wanyika before deflecting Nkata into their own net.

Lwasa missed another open chance in the 15th minute to enlarge their win after his chip was denied by a finger tip save from Michael Wanyika.

Bandari returned from the tunnel more energized side with more counter attacks.

The docker wait no longer when Darius Msagha went pass three opponents on 58th minute passing to William Wadri making no mistake with his fine shot past Watenga Isima in the Sofapaka post.

Wycliff Ochomo who came in to replace Danson Namasaka was denied his goal after consultations between referees indicating that the bully striker scored using his hand.

Sofapaka new entrants Brian Nyakan and Ronald Okoth then combined well with Okoth snatched a rebounce ball from Brian Otieno who slide from the muddy pitch to add Sofapaka second and winning goal four minutes from time.

-Report by Matthews Mutai and Luqman Mahmoud