Playing for the first time at Narok stadium in Narok, Gor Mahia had to announce their presence in the Maa region with a convincing 3 – 0 win over Sofapaka in a mid-week league match today.
It was fairly a balance opening half though the league leaders dominated the first 15 minutes – making five good attempts that forced their opponents to be extra alert to deal with the threats.
It was striker Eluid Lokuwam who knocked at Sofapaka’s door with a good cross from the left side after midfielder Benard Ondiek provided a neat pass from the center-field.
An attempt would later follow with Gor’s defender Charles Momanyi heading the ball wide off the post from a corner kick.
Sofapaka first meaningful attempt came in the ninth minute but Gor Mahia’s custodian did well to keep his team in the game with a good save.
Sofapaka should have opened the scores in the 14th minute when striker Ezekiel Okare was brought down just on the penalty box line and a spot kick was awarded. Kepha Aswani stepped to take the resultant penalty but again, the ever-alert Gor Mahia’s goalkeeper Fredrick Odhiambo rose to the occasion to save the day, excellently reading Aswani’s take – penalty well saved.
Chances were witnessed from both ends with all sides trying to find a breakthrough. On the 42nd minute, Innocent Wafula raced down the right wing and burst into the box to deliver a low cross which was blocked for a corner.
Gor Mahia defender Wesley Onguso took a delicious delivery into the box which Bernard Ondiek heading down towards the goal post and efforts by goalkeeper and defenders to clear it off were fruitless as defender Joachim Olouoch latched on the rebound to give Gor Mahia the lead with a cool tap in inside the six yard box.
Sofapaka would have equalized through Okare’s header but goalkeeper Odhiambo who had a brilliant opening half between the sticks for Gor Mahia did well to tip the attempt over the bar on the last minute before the half break. Gor Mahia were leading 1-0 at the break.
The second half was no different as both sides pushed harder to get the better side of their opponents. Sofapaka had good chances but failed to nail an equalizer.
On the 63rd minute, Sofapaka goalkeeper Wycliff Kasaya gave Gor Mahia a golden chance to double the lead when he brought down midfielder Lawrence Juma in the area after he was harassed for the ball. The custodian was red carded for the foul and Kigonya was brought in.
Captain of the day Innocent Wafula stepped to the plate to hammer home the second goal with Kigonya well beaten. 2-0 for Gor Mahia and that meant, Sofapaka had to do the last 30 minutes of the game with a man less.
Sofapaka’s miseries were not to end with the red card as they had to play the last 15 minutes with two men less after their player got injured and his side had exhausted their substitutes. On the other end, Samuel Onyango and Charles Momanyi got yellow carded for fouls.
The third and final nail on Sofapaka’s coffin was hammered by Samuel Onyango on the 83rd minute when he coolly lobbed the ball over oncoming Kigonya to extend the scoreline to 3-0. The striker received a well-measured pass from Lawrence Juma after one-two touches between Eliud Lokuwam and Innocent Wafula with Juma getting the third pass to set Onyango through on the left side of the box.
3-0 it ended and that means, Gor Mahia are now just two points away from winning the 17th league title. KÓgalo are now at 68 points with a gap of 20 points at the top. They next face traditional archrivals AFC Leopards on Saturday
