Gor Mahia Sink Bandari To Win The 2019 KPL Super Cup

Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia on Sunday defeated Bandari 1-0 to clinch Kenyan Premier League Super Cup in a tough match played at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

Encaustic fans defied cold weather in Machakos and nearly filled the 30,000 seater Kenyatta Stadium for the match which is a curtain-raiser for the new season.

The two teams used the match to test their new players. The match got off to a slow pace, with both teams playing a cautious game, particularly in the first half.

The 18-time champions, Gor, who are Kenya’s representatives in the CAF Champions League this season, should have opened the scoring in the fifth minute when Ghanaian import Francis Afiriyie cut through the Dockers defence but his shot was cleverly blocked by Bandari goalkeeper Wanyika.

Still dictating the early exchange with crisp passes, K’Ogalo pressed on and in the 16th minute, Afriyie again dribbled past Bandari defenders but he directed his effort over the crossbar.

Gor Mahia custodian David Mapigano rarely tested but he was nearly dispossessed of the ball by Yema Mwana after he attempted to dribble the ball inside the danger zone.

Bandari, who are Kenya’s representatives in CAF Confederation Cup, had their best scoring moment at the half-hour mark when former Ugandan forward William Wadri sent a rasping shot which was easily contained by Oluoch.

On the counter-attack, Bandari found themselves on the receiving end in the 36th minute after what would have been Gor’s first goal through Samuel Onyango was cleared on the goal line by Nkata Junior.

K’Ogalo nearly conceded their first goal of the season three minutes to the break but Yema Mwana effort went few centimetres from the crossbar.

On the resumption, Gor applied pressure with numerous set-plays, but the Dockers responded with their first change in the 48th minute with David Kingatua removed for Abdallah Hassan.

More defending was in store for the Bandari after Godfrey Ochieng delivered a cross-cum-shot from the left side.

Their resistance was broken in 65th minute when Lawrence Juma peeled off a blocked deflection to slot past Wanyika.

Gor made their first change in the 78th minute, with Kennedy Otieno replacing Joachim Oluoch to partner with Joash Onyango at the back moments after Tobias Ochola received marching orders.

With time running out, Bandari started to threaten when Mosha set-up Wycliff Ochomo who failed to beat Mapigano from inside the area.

Ochomo nearly sent the game into penalties in the final five minutes, but his shot hit the top of the crossbar as the K’Ogalo managed to hold to win the 2019 KPL Super Cup.