Gor earn slim win over Stars
By Charles Thuku, May 17, 2021
Champions Gor Mahia resumed the BetKing Kenya Premier League on a positive note albeit with a slim 1-0 win over Nairobi City Stars at Utalii grounds in Nairobi yesterday.
It was an anti-climax for the battling Stars as they played the last four minutes a man less after their striker Eric Ombija received his marching orders for elbowing Gor midfielder Ernest Wendo in an off the ball incident
With the ball swinging from one end of the field to the other in the early moments, it was Gor who looked likely to score but efforts by Karim Abdoul, Kenneth Muguna and Cliffton Miheso were contained by City Stars backliners Kevin Okumu, Harambee Stars trialist Bolton Omwenga and Salim Abdallah.
Despite Stars fortifying their backline after sensing danger, they could not stop Abdoul from thrusting Gor into the lead with a clinical striker in the 31st minute moments after his teammate Clifton Miheso had been denied by impressive goalkeeper Stephen Njung’e.
Later on, efforts by Ombija and his strike partner Elvis Maloba towards Gor’s goalmouth failed to bear fruits as K’ogalo gained confidence after scoring what would eventually be the winning strike.
City Stars chief executive Patrick Korir said Stars should not be mystified with the result, saying there is still room for improvement for the Kawangware-based side.
“It was a difficult match. We gave a good account of ourselves but unfortunately we did not get the results we wanted.
The performance in the second half was better but the players did not translate the chances into goals,’’ said Korir.
He added: “We are still work in progress and what we are targeting is a top ten finish which is possible for a good measure.
This is just a one match loss at the resumption of the season and people should not judge us with the result,’’
Elsewhere at Dawson Mwanyumba Stadium in Wundanyi, Sofapaka called it late to beat Wazito 2-0.
After a goalless first half, Nixon Omondi put Wazito ahead with an opportunistic strike before free-scoring Batoto Ba Mungu’s midfielder Lawrence Juma put the issue beyond doubt with a well taken second goal.
In Ruaraka, visiting Vihiga United restricted Mathare United to a barren draw in an otherwise balanced match.