Benson Omala ended a seven-game goal drought as he struck early to hand Gor Mahia a 1-0 victory against Nairobi City Stars in the FKF Premier League on Saturday.
In the match played at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, Gor Mahia took just four minutes to break the deadlock when Omala got onto the end of a good ball from new signing Shariff Musa to score his 10th goal of the season and a first since December 9, 2023.
The ever-lively Austin Odhiambo spotted a good run from Musa on the right wing and the speedy winger took it first time, squaring the ball to Omala who poked it home against the run of play.
Odhiambo then had a chance to extend Gor Mahia’s lead through a freekick but was not successful. However, shortly after, he could have set up the second when he played in Omala but the striker fired over on his weaker left foot after getting the better of his marker.
Gor Mahia ended the first half as the more superior side, having managed five attempts, two on target, while City Stars had none.
K’Ogalo’s wingers Bryson Wangai, on the left, and Musa, playing of the right, had been a constant menace for the City Stars defence with their pace and incisive passing.
However, after restart, City Stars started with vigour, opting to press the Gor Mahia defence higher and would have got an instant reward.
Simba wa Nairobi attackers got in behind the Gor Mahia defence with K’Ogalo goalkeeper Kevin Omondi forced into two great saves in quick succession to deny them.
Robison Asenwa fired a ferocious shot which Omondi punched away before also stopping Dennis Owalo from the rebound in what would easily have been 1-1.
Asenwa then received the ball a few minutes later, beat his marker but his shot hit side netting as Gor Mahia escaped yet again.
Since then, Gor Mahia stayed tight at the back, reducing their forays forward to protect what they had, and managed just that to return to winning ways after a two-game winless run.
Victory saw Gor Mahia move to 47 points at the top of the table, eight ahead of second-placed Posta Rangers, while City Stars, who came into the match looking to move to second place have now dropped to fifth, 10 points behind.
For Omala, it is just what the doctor ordered after what has been a difficult two months compounded by his failed move to Algeria two weeks ago.
Victory came at a cost for Gor Mahia as striker Chris Ochieng was stretchered off in the dying minutes after landing awkwardly while going for an aerial ball.