Gor Mahia strike down Shabana to move 10 points clear

A sea of phone lights, shouts of “Gor biro, yaw  ne yo!” (Gor is coming, clear the way), drum beats, jubilant dancing and explosions from firecrackers lit up Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday evening after Gor Mahia captain Alpha Onyango struck the winner in a thrilling 2-1 over Shabana in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) match. 

With 10 minutes to the end of the match, Onyango rose to the occasion, heading home the winner to spark wild celebrations among Gor Mahia fans.

The Harambee Stars midfielder jumped over the advertising boards and sprinted to the stands on the Uhuru Highway section to celebrate with the club’s jubilant fans. 

And it was easy to understand the wild celebrations from both Gor players and fans.

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With the victory, K’Ogalo boosted their title chances as they opened a 10-point gap at the top of the log in the 18-team league.

After playing 25 matches, Gor has amassed 56 points. Second placed AFC Leopards (46 points) will face Tusker on Sunday at the same venue.

Apart from both Gor and Shabana aiming to boost their title chance with a win in the Saturday’s match, the clash was highly anticipated due to the huge following that both teams enjoy. 

Gor were further seeking to maintain their dominance over Shabana as the Kisii-based side chased a first win over K’Ogalo since their promotion to the top flight league in 2023. Previously, both sides had met five times, Gor winning thrice while the other two encounters ended in draws.

South Sudanese midfielder Jackson Dwang fired Gor ahead in the 22nd minute but Shabana equalised just a minute later through Wycliffe Omondi.

Match winning goal

The match’s first shot on target arrived on 14 minute with Shabana’s midfielder Kevin Omundi testing Gor’s goalkeeper Gad Mathews with a powerful long drive, an effort that the club’s supporters appreciated with a round of applause.

K’Ogalo finally broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute with Dwang finding the back of the net with a stunning strike. After connecting to a pass from Ebenezer Adu-kwak, who beat several legs on the left, Dwang rounded his marker at the edge of the box before directing his shot to the unguarded left side of the goalpost. 

However, K’Ogalo’s lead was short-lived as miscommunication between goalkeeper Mathews and his defenders saw Omondi equalise for Shabana with a header.  

Shabana’s goalkeeper Stephen Ochieng made a brilliant save in the 27th minute to deny Shariff Musa from close range.

Gor were lucky not to concede on 35 minutes after Keith Imbali’s low drive missed the target narrowly.

Just moments later, Adu-kwaw wasted a glorious opportunity to restore the hosts' lead when his header from close range hit the goalpost.

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With Gor piling more pressure to restore their lead, goalkeeper Ochieng had to be alert. He made two crucial saves on the stroke halftime, parring Musa’s effort before blocking Samuel Kapen shot.

Ten minutes into the second half, Shabana captain George Onyango wasted a glorious opportunity to fire his team ahead as he blazed the ball over the bar from close range.

Both sides made changes just after the hour mark with Gor resting Kapen for Ebenezer Assifuah as Shabana introduced Austine Odongo and Papa Diallo for Assis Mwambote and Bronson Nsuguba respectively. 

A free-kick by Shabana midfielder Brian Michira in the 70th minute was parried by goalkeeper Mathews. Four minutes later, Musa’s powerful shot narrowly missed the target on the other end.

Miscommunication between goalkeeper Ochieng and his defenders almost cost Shabana with Assifuah lurking. But Gor eventually had the last laugh thanks to Onyango's headed goal.

In other matches, defending champions Kenya Police gunned down KCB 2-1 at Police Sacco Stadium while relegation candidates Bidco United and Sofapaka battled to a barren draw at Warung’u Stadium in Kirinyaga County. A similar scoreline was registered between Mara Sugar and APS Bomet at Awendo Stadium.  

Saturday results:

Gor Mahia 2 Shabana 1

Kenya Police 2 KCB 1

Mara Sugar 0 APS Bomet 0

Bidco United 0 Sofapaka 0

Sunday fixtures:

AFC Leopards vs Tusker (Nyayo National Stadium - 4pm) 

Kakamega Homeboyz vs Bandari (Bukhungu, Kakamega - 2pm)

Murang’a Seal vs Mathare United (SportPesa Arena, Murang’a - 3pm) 

Kariobangi Sharks vs Posta Rangers (Police Sacco - 1pm) 

Nairobi United vs Ulinzi Stars (Ulinzi Sports Complex - 3:30pm)