Mashemeji Derby: K'Ogallo revive title hopes after 2-0 victory over AFC Leopards

Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards battle for ball possession during their KPL match at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday 23/10/16.PHOTO.BONIFACE OKENDO

Gor Mahia rekindled their title defence hopes with a 2-0 victory over AFC Leopards in Sunday's Mashemeji Derby that was marred by acts of hooliganism at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Two lapses in concentration in the last quarter of the game is all that cost hosts, AFC.

Meddie Kagere broke the deadlock in the 75th through a perfectly taken penalty kick before Enoch Agwanda came off the bench to double the lead.

The victory saw the 15 time Kenyan Premier League champions take their points tally to 48, four points behind leaders Tusker, who were held to a 1-1 draw by relegation threatened Nairobi City Stars in Nakuru.

It was a win that left Gor Mahia coach Jose Marcelo a relieved man. And with three games to go, the Brazilian believes that K'Ogalo will take title race down to the wire.

"It is an important win for us, but being a derby makes it sweet. It has made us to continue dreaming about the title," Marcelo told Feverpitch.

AFC's Simon Abuko (left) tussle for ball control with Eric iOuma of Gor Mahia during KPL Match at Nyayo National Stadium, Oct 23, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

"We have to do our part, win our next two matches and hope they (Tusker) drop points before meeting them on the final day. It will be a tough match against Mathare United, but we must win it."

Marcelo credited tactical change for his winning derby debut, avenging the 1-0 first leg defeat that was inflicted to his predecessor Frank Nuttall.

"We talked at halftime about our quality and changed our playing system to 4-4-2. AFC closed very well in the first half, but change of system of play won us the match," he added.

Marcelo's sentiments were echoed by his captain Musa Mohammed.

"The title race is now wide open, but we must concentrate on winning our matches. The weekend's results have given us a chance to retain the title. We are now motivated ahead of our remaining three matches," said Mohammed.

But for AFC Leopards caretaker coach Ezekiel Akwana, concentration lapse cost them the match.

"We did well in the first half, but two lapse of concentration in the last 20 minutes gave them goals. Mentally, my defenders were weak, moreso in the final minutes. But that's now behind us, we have to fight in until the end of the season," said Akwana.

The match started on a slow tempo but it is AFC who threatened first in the fourth minute through Paul Kiongera's effort but went wide after a good set up from Kepha Aswani.

Gor Mahia responded with sensation Eric Ouma beating Simon Abuko, dribbled into AFC half but his low shot bounced off the target.

AFC centre half Eugene Ambulwa became the first player to be booked in the 23rd minute after fouling Ouma, but Jacques Tuyisenge wasted the resulting free kick.

A few moments later, Gor Mahia goalkeeper Bonface Oluoch came off his line to pull off a fine save and deny Aswani in the box after a defensive blunder from his players.

In the 28th minute, George Odhiambo's shot hit the side-netting before Kiongera's free kick was blocked by Gor wall.

Tuyisenge could have put Gor ahead on the stroke of halftime but he was denied by the crossbar.

In the 54th minute Edwin Wafula then made a fantastic goal line clearance to stop Odhiambo's header before Ingwe launched a counter attack on the hour mark but Musa Mohammed recovered fast to intercept Kiongera's cross.

And after a series of raids, Kagere, who literally had to wait for over a year to score a penalty against AFC after last year's second leg derby ended prematurely due to violence, sent Lucas Indeche the wrong way in the 75th minute after he was tripped in the box by Ambulwa, who luckily escaped a red card.

The match was temporarily halted for over five minutes as two sets of fans on the Russia side threw missiles at each other. Police then reacted fast and fired tear gas at the AFC fans as their Gor counterparts danced celebrating the goal.

Substitute Enoch Agwanda doubled the lead with an easy tapping, a few minutes after calm was restored.