Gor Mahia edge KCB in nervy encounter
KCB defender Baraka Badi (centre) dribbles past Gor Mahia's Geoffrey Ochieng (left) and Boniface Omondi during their Kenyan Premier League match at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos on September 22, 2019. PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT |
What you need to know:
- After pinning the bankers in their own half, Gor took a deserved lead after 12 minutes, when Afriyie sent a low drive which goalkeeper Joseph Okoth failed to gather
- Juma then punished the visitors for a poor clearance from a corner kick in the 32nd minute, when he collected a lose ball outside the box and beat goalkeeper Peter Okoth with a grass-cutter
- Agwanda reduced the deficit for the visitors from the spot after Wellington Ochieng was adjudged to have fouled Stephen Waruru inside the box
Gor Mahia Sunday edged Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) 2-1 in a Kenya Premier League (KPL) match at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.
Ghanaian Francis Afriyie and Lawrence Juma were on target for K'Ogalo on the 12th and 32nd minute respectively, while KCB's goal was scored from the spot by Enock Agwanda in the 37th.
Gor coach Steven Polack was contented with the results. "We did not play well in the second half especially in the last 15 minutes. I don't know why KCB's goal was disallowed same to ours, but the result is okay for us."
His opposite number Zedekiah Otieno blamed lack of concentration for his side's loss. "We conceded very easy goals. Our concentration in defence was very poor and we have to work on that area."
After pinning the bankers in their own half, Gor took a deserved lead after 12 minutes, when Afriyie sent a low drive which goalkeeper Joseph Okoth failed to gather.
KCB had an opportunity to respond six minutes later from Samuel Mwangi's well taken throw-in, but Gor goalkeeper David Mapigano rose high to save.
Clifton Miheso thought he was on his way to doubling his side's lead on the 24th minute after skipper Kenneth Muguna found him on the left with a clever pass, only for him to be called offside.
Juma then punished the visitors for a poor clearance from a corner kick in the 32nd minute, when he collected a lose ball outside the box and beat goalkeeper Peter Okoth with a grass-cutter.
But, five minutes later, Agwanda reduced the deficit for the visitors from the spot after Wellington Ochieng was adjudged to have fouled Stephen Waruru inside the box. The former Gor and Sony Sugar man beat Mapigano with a rising shot.
Just after the restart, Miheso set substitute Samuel Onyango - introduced for the injured Afriyie in the first half- clean through on goal but his goal was controversially cancelled after referee David Mulongo called for a foul on KCB goalkeeper Okoth.
KCB then rested Dennis Odhiambo for Michael Mutinda on the 52nd minute, before Samuel Mwangi saw his goal ruled out for offside five minutes later.
Bethwel Warambo was lucky not to score in his own net moments later after he fumbled while attempting to clear Muguna's cross.
Gor played cautiously in the dying minutes to protect their slim lead as KCB pushed for an equaliser. But in the end, there was only one winner.
