Gor Mahia dispatch Ulinzi Stars to grab first win in new FKF Premier League season
By Joel Sang, September 2, 2023Gor Mahia managed to register their first win in the 2023/24 Football Kenya Premier League after a 1-0 win over Ulinzi Stars on Saturday, September 2, 2023.
Kevin Simiyu scored the only goal of the match and gave Gor Mahia three points at Ulinzi Complex in Lang’ata.
Chances
Meanwhile, Ulinzi Stars had their first attempt at goal stopped by Gor Mahia’s new goalkeeper, Kevin Omondi, in the third minute.
The host, after a buildup towards Gor Mahia’s penalty box, managed to test the visitors early in the game, but Omondi was alert as he collected the ball rather easily to end the Ulinzi attack.
The Soldiers had another opportunity in the 13th minute to break the deadlock but wasted their chance. The 2010 league champions won a free-kick from a promising position that was delivered by Boniface Muchiri, and Hillary Simiyu failed to find the target after connecting well to the delivered ball.
After sitting back and allowing Ulinzi much of the ball, Gor Mahia made their first noticeable attack in the 15th minute, when they won the first corner of the game. Alpha Onyango delivered the ball into the area, and Ulinzi conceded a foul just outside their area when they attempted to clear.
Austin Odhiambo took charge to deliver the set piece, but the former AFC Leopards attacking midfielder sent his effort wide.
Gor Mahia’s goal
Just two minutes before the half-hour mark, Gor Mahia registered an opener courtesy of their new signings. Simiyu scored the goal after he connected with a well-delivered pass from Patrick Sibomana.
Rodgers Mugisha came close to grabbing the second for the record champions in the 36th minute when he attempted to strike from outside the 18-yard box. Although it looked like a clever shot from some distance, Ulinzi goalkeeper Michael Wanyika collected it with ease to ensure his side did not concede again.
Benson Omala, Gor Mahia’s top scorer last season, thought he scored his first goal of the new campaign in the 56th minute, only to be ruled out for an offside call. The former Kisumu Day star managed to chip the ball over an onrushing Wanyika, and the ball landed into the net only for the offside flag to cut off the goal celebration.
Just like in the first half, Ulinzi enjoyed much ball possession but were unable to make that count. Gor Mahia intelligently defended rather deeply and chose to conduct rare attacks against the home side. That tactic almost worked when Mugisha was teed up, but the new signing sent his effort wide in the 72nd minute while inside the penalty area.
Gor Mahia looked more lively late in the second half and could have picked up a second goal in the 89th minute. However, Wanyika saved the day for Ulinzi again when he parried away a header by Samuel Onyango, who had connected superbly to a corner delivery by Alpha Onyango.
The win is the first for the defending champions after they were held to a draw by Sofapaka in their opening game.