Gor Mahia are the 2018 Kenya Premier League champions after beating arch-rivals AFC Leopards 2-0 in a match played at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Saturday.
K’Ogalo dominated the match from the start and would have taken the lead early in the game, but their striking duo of Samuel Onyango and Boniface Omondi were wasteful in front of goal.
Leopards’ keeper Ezekiel Owande stood tall to deny Cercidy Okeyo in the 10th minute on a one-on-one situation. He parried away Onyango’s shot in the 26th minute before denying him again a close-range effort a minute later.
The breakthrough for Gor Mahia came in the 31st minute when Boniface Omondi capitalized on Ingwe’s defensive lapse to give the league champions the lead.
After 43 minutes, K’Ogalo scored their second goal. Bernard Ondiek pounced on a Charles Momanyi’s cross to bury the ball past Owande standing between the posts for the Leopards.
The game had to be stopped for nine minutes after a section of Ingwe fans started throwing projectiles into the pitch following Gor Mahia’s second goal. They were protesting that in the build-up to the goal there was a foul on their left winger Baker Lukooya but the referee was disinterested.
Nine minutes after the resumption, Ingwe should have surely clawed back into the game had Whyvonne Isuza not blasted a penalty wide after Charles Momanyi handled inside the box as he defended a cross.
The teams went for a breather with the league leaders having a two-goal lead. Leopards started the second half on a brighter note with Nigerian forward Alex Orotomal forcing the champions’ net-minder Fredrick Odhiambo in an early save.
Gor were awarded a free kick that was taken by Joachim Ouloch. It was deflected out for a corner that was brought in by Isaac Onduro, but Mike Kibwage cleared it back to the field of play.
Whyvonne Isuza wasted another golden opportunity with fifteen minutes to go when he failed to connect a nice pass after playing a one-two with Orotomal.
Duncan Otieno then forced Odhiambo into a save with his feet after he shot from 18 yards, resulting into a corner that was easily cleared back to the field of play by Onguso.
The green army had numerous chances to score more goals but were wasteful with Charles Momanyi, Onyango and Innocent Wafula failing to convert their chances.
The win saw K’Ogalo defend the Kenya Premier League title they won in 2017.
How they line-up:
Gor Mahia : 1. Fredrick Odhiambo, 3. Karim Nzigiyimana, 21. Wesley Onguso, 27. Charles Momanyi, 15. Joachim Oluoch, 10. Cercidy Okeyo, 7. Innocent Wafula, 17. Benard Ondiek, 6. Samuel Onyango, 11. Boniface Omondi, 24. Lawrence Juma.
Sub: 29. Boniface Oluoch, 28. Raphael Asudi, 4. Wellington Ochieng, 33. Stephen Okiro, 14. Kevin Omondi, 23. Francis Mustafa, 32. Eliud Lokuwam
AFC Leopards: Ezekiel Owade (GK), Yusuf Mainge, Mike Kibwage, Duncan Otieno (CPT), Isaac Oduro, Brian Marita, Said Tsuma, Ezekiel Seda, Whyvonne Isuza, Baker Lukooya and Alex Orotomal.
Subs: Jairus Adira (GK), Christopher Oruchum, Aziz Okaka, Victor Majid, Vincent Oburu, Victor Omondi and Eugene Mukangula.
