Defending champions Gor Mahia overcame Ulinzi Stars 1-0 in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) clash staged at Ulinzi Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.
Also in attendance at the match was Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy Eliud Owalo who has been supporting the club financially since assuming office.
The absence of goalkeeper Gad Mathews again made coach Johnathan McKinstry to try new signing Kelvin Omondi, while Patrick Sibomana, who had previously come on as a second-half substitute in their opening match against Sofapaka, made his first start in Gor Mahia’s colors.
Anthony Kimani’s charges were still in a mourning mood after opening their campaign with a loss to Nzoia Sugar last weekend.
Ulinzi Stars threatened early on through Hilary Simiyu in the sixth minute, but the forward was denied by Omondi between K’Ogalo posts.
The hosts continued to probe but found it increasingly difficult to beat Omondi, who made another good save in the 15th minute to deny Boniface Muchiri, whose rasping effort looked destined for the back of the net.
Having had moments where they looked dangerous, Gor Mahia’s Rodgers Mugisha was a handful for the hosts and they were awarded a set piece in the 18th minute, but it was cleared by an aerially strong Michael Wanyika.
The 20th minute saw Geoffrey Ochieng become the recipient of a brilliant pass from Benson Omala, but the skipper failed to hit the target from the edge of the penalty area.
With their brilliant passing ability, the reigning league champions starved Ulinzi Stars of the ball, and Kevin Simiyu’s pinpoint pass picked up Sibomana, whose half-volley was swallowed by the former Bandari FC goalkeeper Wanyika in the 23rd minute.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 29th minute when a corner delivery by Gor Mahia’s new signing Sibomana was slotted home by Kevin Simiyu to make it 1-0.
The hosts had a great chance to net an equaliser from close range just after the half-hour mark, but somehow Hilary Simiyu missed the target.
Towards the interval, a well-timed interception denied Gor Mahia a second goal after pick-pocketing the ball from Ulinzi in the middle of the park.
Then Kevin Omondi denied Boniface Muchiri from a set piece ensuring that the first half ended 1-0 in favour of the visitors.
Upon their emergence from the tunnel, Ulinzi Stars continued to probe for an equaliser and Boniface Muchiri was denied by Kevin Omondi in the 49th minute and the goalkeeper collected on the second attempt.
The second half was a fast-paced affair after the hour mark and Ulinzi Stars protested for a penalty when Joshua Onyango looked like he had fouled Hilary Simiyu in the box, but referee Badri Mohammed was not interested.
The hosts continued to create chances, but Omondi was proving to be a menacing obstacle as he denied experienced forward Ibrahim Shambi following a good move involving Bonventure Muchika.
Benson Omala thought he had scored his second goal of the season at the hour mark when he cut in from the right wing and volleyed the ball into the back of the net, but the referee ruled it an offside.
Ulinzi Stars pressed K’Ogalo and they played crosses into the box which were cleared away by the visitors’ defence.
McKinstry introduced Boniface Omondi for Patrick Sibomana in the closing stages of the game as the visitors looked to extend their lead but the attacking midfielder was tightly marked by the Ulinzi backline which was marshalled by skipper Brian Birgen.
Gor Mahia managed to contain Ulinzi Stars in the dying minutes of the game and ultimately, they deservedly secured a 1-0 win on a sunny afternoon.
