Battle for positions: Champs Gor, Thika record wins, other KPL matches end in draws

Jeremiah Wanjala (left) of Muhoroni Youth
and Kevin Omondi of KCB vie for the ball
at their Kenya Premier League match, at
Muhoroni Complex
Kenyan Premier League champions-elect
Gor Mahia piled misery on relegation
threatened Kakamega Homeboyz by
beating the visitors 1-0 at Kasarani on
Sunday.
Edwin Lavatsa, who was voted MVP,
scored a controversial off-side goal in the
38th minute after a pass from Antony
Akumu.
Gor dominated possession from the onset
and could have won the game by a big
margin, but Homeboyz goalkeeper Collins
Oduor pulled off a string of fine saves to
keep his side in the game.
In the second half, the 15th placed
Homeboyz came-back a more determined
side, but they were restricted by Gor’s
superb defensive display.
Keiphas Baraza wasted several scoring
opportunities with his best chance being
in the 53rd minute, tapping wide with
only goalkeeper Ivo Mapunda to beat.
Speaking after the match, a furious
Homeboyz coach Edward Manoah blamed
poor officiating for the defeat.
“As you can see the officiating was
dubious. The referee gifted them the win
by allowing the offside goal. It’s
saddening,’’ said Manoah.
winning ways
At the Thika Municipal Stadium Thika
United returned to its winning ways with
a 2 - 0 result against Nairobi City Stars.
Sammy Mejja gave United an early lead
in the 22nd minute  then Ezekiel Odera
scored the second in the 53th minute.
At the Chemilil Sports Complex,
relegation threatened Mathare United
rallied from behind to hold favourites
Chemelil Sugar to a 1-1 draw, and to ease
the pressure of edging out the 2008
premier champions from the league.
Chemelil Sugar’s striker Gerson Likonoh
put the miller’s in the lead in the 35th
minute blasting a curving left flank free-
kick  past Mathare custodian Peter
Odhiambo.
Edwin Ombasa equalised for Mathare in
the 70th minute capitalising on a Chemelil
Sugar defence lapse.
Elsewhere, Muhoroni Youth and KCB
settled for a goalless draw as both teams
shared spoils at Muhoroni Complex
Sunday.

Brian Osumba almost scored twice in the
17th and 57th minute but his efforts
were thwarted by the Muhoroni defense
of Paul Opon and Yussuf Mohamed who
ensured that Clifford Allwanga and Elvis
Ayany never passed their wall block.
Muhoroni Youth lost afterdominating the
match. KCB was defending, only coming
to the front occasionally.
In Naivasha, Karuturi Sports held visiting
Tusker to a barren draw at Old Trafford
Stadium (Karuturi Stadium).
The culprits being Jesse Were and
Fredrick Ochieng after being put through
by Luke Ochieng on Tusker’s side while
Karuturi wasted their chances via
Mohammed Mwachiponi and Ahmed
Umar.
The second half was dominated by the
home team and the obvious opportunity
came when Joseph Kiplagat blasted the
ball wide with only Tusker goalkeeper
Samuel Odhiambo to beat in the 47th
minute.
– Additional reporting by Bosco Magare
and Ben Ahenda.

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