No Odhiambo, no problem as Gor Mahia slay Sharks to go top of league standings

Ben Stanley Omondi and the Ghanaian Ebenezer Adukwaw struck in the 20th minute at the stroke of halftime to give Gor Mahia a 2-0 lead at the break. Substitutes Samuel Kapen and Felix Oluoch completed the rout with goals in the 83rd and 87th minutes respectively.

Teenager Humphrey Aroko continued to be bright spark in Kariobangi Sharks tenebrous season. He scored his team’s consolation goal in the 56th minute after a breathtaking solo run that advertised his talent to suitors within and beyond Kenyan borders.

Gor Mahia’s goals were also of rich quality. Stanley opened the scoring with a rocket from the edge of the box. Adukwaw scored after collecting a long pass from Sylvester Owino in the Kariobangi Sharks box, keeping the ball away from Ian Karani and goalkeeper Collins Omondi with impeccable control.

Kapen stuffed the net with a scissor kick while Oluoch rolled the ball into the net passed an advancing to finish a through pass from Paul Ochuoga.

Read: Chaos forces premature end to Gor Mahia, Nairobi United league match

Aroko’s goal had highlighted an improved second half performance from Kariobangi Sharks before Gor Mahia’s late goals quelled their defiance.

The win ensured the record Kenyan top flight champions returned to the summit of the FKF Premier League table with 26 points, two more than the joint-second trio of Kakamega Homeboyz, AFC Leopards, and Tusker.

However, Gor Mahia’s stay at the top of the table may be short-lived if AFC Leopards defeat Nairobi United on Wednesday at Nyayo National Stadium.

Speaking after the match, Gor Mahia coach Charles Akonnor said the club plans to bring “one or two new faces” to fill the void left by Odhiambo.

“Austin is a good player. He served this club for a long time. He has been a faithful player. He was an important player for us but we had to allow him go because he received an opportunity that allows him to make more money,” Akonnor said.

Bottom of the league table

“We are looking for a player with a similar playing style to Austin, a playmaker, someone who can score goals and create chances,” Akonnor added.

The loss sunk Kariobangi Sharks deeper into the relegation zone. They remain bottom of the 18-team league table with 12 points from 15 points.

Sharks coach William Muluya blamed on the loss on lack of experience.

“Our lack of experience showed today. We have a young team while Gor Mahia had more depth. That showed in the difference of our substitutions. They brought on players like Kapen and Oluoch while one of the players we brought on is still a High School student,” Muluya said during his post-match interview with Azam TV, the league’s official broadcaster.

Muluya added that he plans to strengthen his team with new signings in attack.

With Gor Mahia registering their seventh consecutive league victory over Sharks, the match unfolded with new stories in the fixture’s history.

Read: Subtle tricks AFC Leopards employed to beat Gor in Mashemeji derby

Adukwaw paid tribute to his late parents with an emotional celebration of his goal. He lifted his jersey over his head to reveal a handwritten message on his undershirt. “Dis goal for you mum and dad. RIP. Love U,” the message read.

Referee Badir Yassin, however, showed no empathy as he booked Adukwaw for pulling his jersey over his head.

At the VIP stands, a familiar face followed the proceedings. Gor Mahia’s former coach, the Croatian Sinisa Mihic, sparked interest with his presence.

Mihic was sacked in May after three months in charge following a poor run of results. In one interview he gave before his sacking, Mihic had expressed interest of settling in Nairobi. He is probably keeping that promise.