Gor Mahia extend unbeaten run over Shabana to reopen 10-point gap

Gor Mahia reopened their 10-point buffer over sworn rivals AFC Leopards following a hard-fought 2-1 win over outside title challengers Shabana FC in an FKF Premier League clash staged at the Nyayo National Stadium.

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The record league champions needed an Alpha Onyango goal 10 minutes from time to seal all three points after Jackson Dwang's opener in the 22nd minute was cancelled out by Wycliffe Omondi two minutes later.

Going into the match, K'Ogalo were at the summit of the league table with 53 points, seven more than second-placed AFC Leopards and on a good run of form, having won eight of their previous 10 matches.

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Shabana, on the other hand, were third with 40 points and under a mixed run of form, including back-to-back losses against AFC Leopards and Kariobangi Sharks that saw the dismissal of head coach Peter Okidi.

With the globe marking World Down Syndrome Day, the fixture was dedicated to the campaign as players entered the pitch donning t-shirts to create awareness and in the company of two children with the condition.

The match started at a blistering pace, both teams moving the ball quickly, in search of an early opener, but none could make it count by the fifth minute.

Gor Mahia then started seeing much of the ball from the fifth minute, with the midfield trio of Enock Morrison, Alpha Onyango and Jackson Dwang' showcasing their quality and experience.

The match got juicier by the 10th minute when Paul Ochuoga, on the overlap, was fed by Morrison, but his attempt veered far wide.

Shabana had a more decent attempt in the 15th minute when Kevin Omundi, on a half volley outside the box, unleashed a shot that forced Gad Mathews into an excellent save.

Gor had a chance to take the lead in the 18th minute when Samuel Kapen launched an attempt from the edge of the box, but his shot went over the bar.

K’Ogalo would then take the lead in the 22nd minute when Dwang received a ball from the right side of the box, shook off his marker, before curling the ball into the top left corner and into the back of the net.

Gor’s lead lasted barely two minutes as in the 24th minute, a mix-up between Bryton Onyona and Gad Mathews saw the former head the ball past Mathews and into Wycliff Omondi, who nodded home to equalise for Shabana.

Charles Akonnor's charges had a chance to regain the lead in the 30th minute when George Onyango attempted a poor clearance, with the ball landing to Shariff Musa, who shot directly at Stephen Ochieng in the Shabana goal.

Tore Bobe had their own attempt in the 38th minute when Keith Imbali picked a loose ball outside the box, but his shot went wide.

Gor Mahia intensified their search for a goal as the half grew and had an attempt in the 40th minute through Dwang' that went over the bar.

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Ebenezer Adukwaw had a golden opportunity to give K’Ogalo the lead when he got on the end of Kapen's cross, and with an empty net, the Ghanaian forward headed wide via a brush from the post.

The last chance of the half fell to captain Alpha, whose shot from outside the box was feeble and well collected by the goalkeeper, with the teams headed to the break, level on scores.

Shabana returned to the second half as the better side in the opening minutes and had attempts through Bronson Nsubuga and Brian Michira, but could not turn them into goals by the 55th minute.

K’Ogalo equally had decent opportunities to put the ball in dangerous areas, but were often let down by poor deliveries from Paul Ochuoga and Kapen.

The 21-time league champions had another opportunity in the 60th minute when Morrison lofted a free kick in the area, but Frank Odhiambo narrowly missed it.

Michira, who was now becoming lively, had Shabana’s best attempt in the 63rd minute when he picked a pass from Mazembe, dribbled to his favourite right foot before taking a shot that went wide.

The Harambee Stars forward was back at it in the 70th minute when he expertly took a free kick that was heading in before Mathews pulled a fingertip save to maintain the scores level.

Captain Alpha Onyango would then step up in the 80th minute to head a Dwang' corner into the back of the net and send Nyayo into a frenzy as the goal turned out to win Gor three points that took their point tally to 56, 10 more than Leopards.