A first-half strike by Boniface Omondi separated Gor Mahia from AFC Leopards as K’Ogalo ran out as 1-0 winners in the Mashemeji Derby at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Saturday.
Julies Ulimwengu came close to giving Gor Mahia a perfect start in the third minute with a threatening strike from outside the box that missed the top corner by a whisker.
Ulimwengu turned provide on 20 minutes to pick out John Macharia, whose first-time shot sailed straight into the arms of Muchesia.
Fred Nakata denied Leopards a clear chance on the 25th minute, after intercepting a through ball by Otieno that looked destined Abdallah.
Boniface Omondi finally broke the deadlock on the 35th minute when he picked up the loose ball and calmly slotted into an empty net.
Six minutes later Saad Musa worked himself into space 20-yards out, but the Leopards midfielder fired his volley inches over the target.
At the stroke of halftime some swift passing from Leopards also saw Thiongo in space just outside the box, but once again his thunderous shot was brilliantly saved by K’Ogalo keeper.
Peter Thiongo had a big chance for Patrick Aussems ‘s men in the 58th minute after a mistake at the back by Gor saw him go clear on goal inside the box but his low strike missed the bottom corner slightly wide.
Omondi should have buried the game for K’Ogalo in the last 12 minutes after going clear on goal from Bernard Ochieng’s through ball but he blasted his strike over the bar.
Leopards offered very little in terms of attack as they struggled to break down a well-organised Gor Mahia defence largely due to bad passing and poor decision making in the final third.
Only a fantastic save by debutant Muchesia could deny Samuel Onyango as the Leopards keeper got down low to his left to palm an 18-yard shot from the Pirates striker around the post.
Leopards were vulnerable to counter-attacks in the closing minutes, sending numbers forward desperate for the equalizer but in the end Gor Mahia held on to claim a narrow win that took them up to fourth on the table while Leopards stuck in fifth place.
