Gor Mahia’s Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League title hopes were jolted yesterday in a shock 2-1 defeat by Mathare United at Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani yesterday.

The defeat all but put paid to Gor’s chances of building a seven-point lead with their results blessing in disguise for their closest challengers Nzoia Sugar and KCB with all these teams having each played seventeen matches which makes up for an exciting finish of the first leg of action. Yesterday, Mathare put up a commendable show which belies their lowly placing in the top-tier league.

It was even incredible that Mathare secured all three points despite Financial constraints that have rocked the club for the good part of the 2022/2023 season.

But most notably, Mathare did manage to haul themselves up from the 15th to the 13th position against all odds and in the process proved that they are intent on avoiding relegation at the end of the campaign.

Gor’s defence line of Dennis Ngang’a, Philemon Otieno and Joshua Onyango found Mathare attackers a handful and it was always a matter of which time it cracked.

It ended after only eight minutes from the start when Douglas Kibet found himself unmarked to slot past goalkeeper Gad Matthews.

The obstinate Mathare shifted their gears and were even able to lead by the goal going into halftime.

Gor then picked up their pieces and Benson Omala, the leading scorer in the Premiership with 14 goals, pulled Kogalo level in the 67th minute.

Omala threatened Mathare’s defence several times after that but lacked the cutting edge in front of the goal.

However, Mathare had other ideas, always catching the multiple champions on the counter with Daniel Otieno cashing on loose marking to score the winning goal just eight minutes to the end.

At Muhoroni Stadium, FC Talanta needed a goal in each half to beat the struggling Vihiga Bullets 2-1, former Zetech Titans striker George Odhiambo opening the team’s account in the 24th minute.

In the meantime, Kariobangi Sharks pulled off the highest winning margin in a 3-1 win over Wazito at Kasarani Annex with Paul Odhiambo their hero after accounting for two of the three goals scored.

Odhiambo was first on the mark in the 18th minute and completed his brace in the 84th minute.

Sharks’ other goal came off the boot of Fortune Omoto as the team picked up its second win after eclipsing Sofapaka 2-0 on February 24.