The Kenyan Premier League got a harsh indictment on Sunday afternoon when Gor Mahia players emerged from a two-day strike to beat Bandari 2-0 in Mombasa. 

Bandari is among the highly-regarded sides of the division and was tipped to punish their striking opponents at Mbaraki but succumbed to K’Ogalo in circumstances that will cast aspersion on the competitiveness of the league.

Gor players have not been paid for four months and agitated for their dues by boycotting training after their Thursday victory in Kisumu. The team flew to Mombasa in low spirits but turned on the class to end a two-year jinx at Mbaraki and open a three-point gap in league leadership.

Samuel Onyango, selected in place of sulking skipper Kenneth Muguna, broke the deadlock at the stroke of half-time with a fierce low shot that squirmed between Felly Mulumba’s legs and beyond Mike Wanyika’s full-length dive.

Bandari failed to decisively clear their lines and the ball fortuitously fell to Gnamien Yikpe at the edge of box. The Ivorian spread the ball to his right where Onyango had room and time to collect and line up his shot without ado from the host’s backline.

Ghanaian Francis Afriyie then doubled K’Ogalo’s advantage two minutes into the second half with a spectacular volley after intercepting Willian Wadri’s pass to Fred Nkata. 

Wadri endured a hapless afternoon in Mombasa, hitting the woodwork twice and missing from the spot. Shaban Kenga won the penalty when Bernard Ondiek hacked him in the box in a late attempt to make a clearance but Boniface Oluoch in Gor’s goal saved the resultant spot-kick and a follow-up from Wadri.

At condemned Muhoroni Stadium, 2008 Kenyan champions Mathare United romped to an easy 4-1 victory over their hapless hosts Chemelil Sugar.

The cash-strapped Chemelil are one walkover away from expulsion from the KPL and opted to host the fixture outside the sugar complex in the hope of cashing in on gate collections as well as benefiting from local support.

Meanwhile, AFC Leopards needed Wyvonne Isuza’s goal to beat Kisumu All Stars 1-0.