Gor Mahia fires blanks
By Charles.Thuku, April 6, 2023Much hyped Gor Mahia striker Benson Omalla failed to score yet again as Gor Mahia shared spoils with Sofapaka, playing to a barren draw at the Kasarani Stadium in one of the nine midweek premier league matches that had been lined up at different venues yesterday.
This is now the third match that Omalla has failed to find the back of the net, since his exclusion from the national team Harambee Stars caused an uproar on social media as a section of fans felt that he deserved a key role in the team by virtue of being the local league’s top scorer.
K’Ogalo’s coach Jonathan McKinstry may have been made to swallow his words during yesterday’s match after he had previously said that his team was the only side in the league that plays attacking football while the rest played holding football. Yesterday the story was different as Sofapaka created most chances and will blame themselves for not beating the record league champions.
In Mombasa, Uganda internationals Umaru Kasumba and Rodgers Aloro notched a brace apiece as home side Bandari thrashed Ulinzi Stars 5-0 in a one sided match. Kasumba opened the scores in the 17th minute, before Aloro added the tally in the 40th minute and Dennis Mokaya made it 3-0 at half time.
In the second half, Aloro scored the fourth goal in the 52nd minute, before Kasumba sealed their win with a 76th minute strike.
Bandari coach Anthony’ Modo” Kimaqni was an elated man after the match, saying his charge played according to instructions and especially former Sofapaka duo of Robert Aloro and Umaru Kasimba who netted a brace each.
“I must say today we had a good day in the office. Had we been playing like this from the onset of the league, we would be among the frontrunners in the league. The strikers played with a sense of purpose and could have plundered more goals had they been a little bit keen upfront,” said Kimani.
He added: “Umaru (Kasumba) and Aloro (Robert Aloro) helped themselves with two goals each and that tells you that the marksmanship is spot on and can only get better.”
In Nairobi, Stewart Omondi notched a 93rd minute goal to break the hearts of AFC Leopards fans in a match that looked destined for a draw.
KCB pipped Nairobi City Stars 1-0, while on form Kakamega Homeboyz who eliminated Gor Mahia from Cup competition at the weekend, stunned Posta Rangers 2-0 and Wazito held a star studded Kenya Police side to a 0-0 draw in Muhoroni.
Douglas Kibet scored a 87th minute winner for Mathare United who eliminated Talanta FC in another midweek thriller where the Slum Boyz came from 2-0 down to emerged 3-2 winners.
Talanta took the lead through Alex Luganji in the 9th minute and extended their lead nine minutes later, but Mathare started their comeback though a goal by on form left footed striker Daniel ‘Van Persie’ Otieno in the 28th minute and Curtis Wekesa levelled the scores in the 49th minute before Kibet scored the winner.