Alpha Onyango strikes down Homeboyz as Gor Mahia return to winning ways

A solo strike from Alpha Onyango saw Gor Mahia return to winning ways as they secured a 1-0 win over Kakamega Homeboyz at Kasarani Stadium on Wednesday, 17 December.

Onyango, wearing the captain's armband in place of the benched Austin Odhiambo, hit a low long-range shot past Simon Masaka in the 19th minute, to relieve pressure off coach Charles Akonnor, whose side had hit a rough spell of form.

The hard-fought win moved K'Ogalo top of the standings, and marked the team's first in four matches, coming after a shaky period that had seen the Green Army walloped 4-1 by APS Bomet, lose 1-0 to arch-rivals AFC Leopards, before settling for a point with manager-less Bandari.

Homeboyz, who would have assumed the league lead with a win, on the other hand, dropped their third game of the season to remain seventh on 20 points.

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Match Report

Before a ball was kicked at Kasarani, speculation was rife that Akonnor was losing his grip at the helm of Gor Mahia, thanks to the aforementioned poor run of form, that had left a big section of the club support disappointed.

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Things looked to be going worse for him minutes into the game, when Kevin Amwayi advanced into the box, before hitting a post with Bryne Odhiambo well beaten.

A Gor Mahia side without their claimed MVP, however, responded with enterprising runs forward, and were rewarded on their first real visit to the opposition goal when Onyango released a powerful strike that got its way past a sea of legs and into the bottom corner.

The build-up came from an Enock Morisson corner, which was headed out for Mike Kibwage to set up the Harambee Stars midfielder for his first goal of the season.

As if asked to consistently have a crack, K'Ogalo should have doubled their lead moments later when Shariff Musa found Ebenezer Adukwaw in a promising position, only for Masaka to dive in with a big block.

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The Ghanaian also saw a shot just outside the box drop wide, before Josphat Lopaga tested Odhiambo's gloves at the other end in the closing stages of the first half.

Akonnor, now prudent in making changes, gave Morisson a rest at halftime, introducing Fidel Origa, even as Gor Mahia looked to consolidate their lead.

That was almost the case in the 48th minute when Felix Oluoch was found free in the box, but blasted over.

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Ben Stanley, who was Austin's replacement on this day, also saw an attempt go wide, before Masaka again denied Oluoch with the forward clear on goal.

Homeboyz, often fond of being in the lead, twice went close to grabbing an equalizer, but for Hillary Otieno and Oliver Machaka to both hit straight at Odhiambo.

There was no collapse this time, Gor Mahia back on top.

Other Wednesday Results

Meanwhile in Kisii, Shabana were made to wait for a first league win over Mara Sugar after the two sides drew blanks in a barren draw at Gusii Stadium.

Having shuffled his attacking front, Shabana coach Peter Okidi was left frustrated after his side failed to break a stubborn Mara, who picked an important point to make it three games without a loss.

The Glamour Boys, on the other hand, missed out on another chance to close the gap at the top, days after rescuing an away point against Kakamega Homeboyz.

Elsewhere at Kasarani Annex, Sofapaka's slide down the table continued as they fell 1-0 to Mathare United, making it six straight games without a win for Ezekiel Akwana's side.

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The only goal of the game came in the 58th minute, when Dennis Okoth tapped in a low cross from John Nyawir, giving The Slum Boys their fifth win of the season.

John Kamau's side, with an important victory on their final home game of the season, rose to 10th on the log, while Sofapaka remained in 17th with 12 points.