Alpha’s lone strike leaves Leopards licking Mashemeji Derby wounds as Gor Mahia go six points clear
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 26.04.26. | 17:29
Gor Mahia could have done more harm to Leopards had they taken the clear cut chances that fell their way in the first half
Gor Mahia moved closer to their 22nd league title after edging AFC Leopards 1-0 in the Mashemeji Derby played on Sunday, 26 April at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Captain Alpha Chris Onyango struck the winning goal to see his side bag not only the bragging rights but also go six points clear at the summit.
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Gor Mahia started brightly, but their appeals for a penalty, in the first minute, were turned down by referee Peter Waweru.
The opening five minutes of the match saw high and hard tackles as both teams tried to gain dominance, prompting Waweru to call on the captains to calm their teams.
By the 10th minute, Gor had developed a slight edge of possession over Ingwe but could not make it count.
K’Ogalo came close in the 18th minute when Alpha looped a ball that caught the Ingwe defense napping, but Ebenezer Adukwaw could not loop the ball past Humprey Katasi.
The 21-time league champions were back at it in the 22nd minute when Patrick Essombe was put through on goal by Shariff Musa, but could not beat Katasi from close range.
By the 25th minute, Gor were clearly the better side in terms of possession and chances created, but were not clinical in front of the goal.
Leopards would then survive a triple scare in the 28th minute when, from overloads on the right side, Paul Ochuoga brought in a sumptuous cross that was first hit onto the crossbar, before Adukwaw and Esombe failed to poke the ball home.
The match was then temporarily stopped in the 30th minute when smoke from tear gas launched outside the stadium started affecting the players.
The break gave Leopards breathing space and an opportunity to strategise as they came back as a better side.
Ingwe would create their first chance in the 36th minute, but Samuel Ssenyonjo wasted it.
Second Half
Leopards returned with vigour following the introduction of Kelly Madada and Hassan Beja for Bonface Munyendo and Ronald Sichenje, respectively.
Dwang’, who had already been booked in the first half, was lucky to still be on the pitch after he caught Brian Ojok late in the 50th minute.
In the 63rd minute, Frank Odhiambo hit the woodwork as K’Ogalo threatened for the first time in the second half, but the linesman's flag was up for offside.
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In a bid to add more attacking punch, coach Charles Akonnor replaced Adukwaw with his compatriot Ebenzer Assifuah in the 69th minute.
Four minutes later, Ambani introduced Ssenyonjo for Victor Omune.
Still unsatisfied with the progress of the match, Akonnor made a double change, taking off Dwang’ and Essombe for Lawrence Juma and Ben Stanley Omondi in the 75th minute.
The substitutions seemed to have upped the game for Gor once again and eventually led to the match’s big moment in the 81st minute.
From a half-cleared corner, Onyona set up captain Alpha, who fired his strike into the back of the net to give Gor Mahia the lead.
Having scored a goal, Gor Mahia resorted to a mid-low block defense, protecting their goal as Leopards threw everything at them.
In the end, the disciplined Gor Mahia backline stood tall to protect their lead and ensure that K’Ogalo secured a 1-0 victory.
AFC Leopards Starting XI: Humphrey Katasi, Brian Ojok, Samwel Semo, Kayci Odhiambo, Emmanuel Lwangu, Musa Oundo, Boniface Munyendo, Tyeon Otieno, James Kinyanjuo, Ronald Sichenje, Samwel Ssenyonjo
Gor Mahia Starting XI: Bryne Omondi, Paul Ochuoga, Mike Kibwage, Frank Odhiambo, Enock Morrison, Alpha Onyango, Jackson Dwang, Shariff Musa, Ebenezer Adukwaw, Patrick Esombe