Dropped points and mean-looking Leopards: Why Gor are under pressure in the title race

Gor Mahia coach Charles Akonnor admitted that Kariobangi Sharks had played well in their goalless draw in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League match at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi on Saturday.

Speaking after the match, Akonnor said it was balanced and could have gone either way. “The game could have gone either way. The Sharks had chances to score, and either side could have lost, so the result is fair,” said the former Ghana captain.

“The opponent is a team that knows their game. They disrupted our game and never let us settle. We wanted to be more assertive in the second half, but it didn’t happen,” he added.

Gor’s Samuel Kapen and Sharks’ David Majak both missed open chances in the first half of the match. The draw gives title-hungry AFC Leopards a chance to further reduce the gap between themselves and the league leaders, Gor Mahia. After playing 26 matches, Gor are top of the table with 57 points. Leopards follow with 52 points from the same number of matches. 

Leopards face hosts Murang’a Seal at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday. Should “Ingwe” win the match, they will reduce Gor’s lead to just two points.

Leopards are hoping to win their first FKF-PL title since 1998. Following the draw against Gor, Sharks leapfrogged Ulinzi Stars into 14th with 26 points. The coach William Muluya’s side are fighting to avoid relegation.

In other matches played on Saturday, Kakamega Homeboyz thumped Mathare United 3-0 at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega while newcomers APS Bomet gunned down Ulinzi Stars 1-0 at Ulinzi Sports Complex.

While Ulinzi are 15th with 25 points, Bomet, Bidco United and Sofapaka follow below with 25, 22 and 16 points respectively.

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