Gor Mahia took full advantage of a debatable red card to beat 10-man Shabana FC 1-0 in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League match played at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani on Wednesday afternoon.
Shabana FC stand-in coach Oscar Kambona made several changes to the team that had lost to Ulinzi Stars in their previous match played on Sunday.
Despite his subpar performance against the soldiers, Isaac Otieno retained his place in the starting line-up. Meanwhile, the instrumental captain, Peter Ogechi, was absent due to an injury, but the rest of the players kept their positions.
Okoth’s counterpart, Johnathan Mckinstry was without attackers Rogers Mugisha and Patrick Sibomana, both of whom were ruled out of the encounter due to injuries sustained in the previous match against Bidco United.
Christopher Ochieng and Benson Omala led Gor Mahia attack, while Kennedy Onyango started with K’Ogalo looking to return to winning ways.
Gor Mahia got off to a lively start as they pressed Shabana in order to grab an early goal which would have unsettled the away side’s leaky defense.
However, the Glamour Boys were compact at the back with Rodgers Aloro marshaling the defense which came into the game having conceded 11 goals from eight league matches.
Shabana upped the tempo towards the half-hour mark with Vincent Nyabuto and Justine Omwando looking to use their speed to unlock K’Ogalo defense.
The duo combined well before Brian Magare set up Isaac Otieno, who forced Gor Mahia’s goalkeeper Kevin Omondi into a smart diving save at the near post.
Gor Mahia took control of the match towards the end of the first half, but they could not seriously test Erick Mangare in the Shabana goal-posts and the score was 0-0 at the interval.
Shabana were the better side after the restart with Kambona having introduced Denniss Wafula with the attacker bringing some creativity in the away side’s midfield.
Otieno set-up Briam Magile, who burst into the box from midfield and unleashed a low shot which was finger-tipped onto the upright by Omondi and Geoffrey Onyango cleared the ball away from danger.
Shabana custodian Erick Ongiri was the busier of the two keepers as he produced a fine low save to deny Benson Omala, before finger-tipping Austin Odhimabo’s long-range shot over the crossbar as K’Ogalo pushed for the opening goal.
The Glamour Boys’ lull in attack was brought to an end midway through the second half when Isaac Otieno tried a long-range shot which took a wicked deflection to wrong-foot Tignyemb, but passed just wide of the target.
On 74 minutes Gor Mahia put together a good passing movement to give Austin Oduor a sight of goal, but his powerful left-footed effort was parried to safety by Shabana’s goalkeeper, while a minute later Benson Omalla nearly found the back of the net with a header from a corner kick.
Shabana were reduced to ten men in the 79th minute when defender Aduda Abisolom was given marching orders for pulling back Omala when the attacker was running clean through on goal.
A draw seemed the likely result, but with six minutes of injury time there was always the chance of late drama, and it was Gor Mahia who capitalised. Kenya international Rooney Onyango fired off a shot home to clinch all three points for the visitors.