Ugandan striker Juma Balinya announced his arrival in the Kenyan Premier League with a brace as Gor Mahia went four points clear at the top by brushing aside Nzoia Sugar 3-0 on Sunday at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.
Wazito did Gor Mahia a favour by frustrating their title rivals Kakamega Homeboyz to a 1-1 draw at Bukhungu Stadium.
Christopher Masinza had given Homeboyz the lead only for Derrick Otanga to break the hearts of the home fans with a stoppage time equaliser.
In Nakuru, Elvis Rupia scored a last gasp winner on his debut as AFC Leopards won 1-0 over ten-man Ulinzi Stars, who had Boniface Onyango sent off in the 81st minute.
Kariobangi Sharks mauled Kisumu All Stars 8-1 at Kasarani Stadium while Sofapaka and Mathare United played out to a 1-1 draw in an early fixture in Machakos.
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Balinya opened the scoring on the stroke of halftime after pouncing on Samuel Onyango’s rebound before the pair combined again for the former Yanga striker’s second goal on his debut for Gor Mahia.
Captain Kenneth Muguna sealed the victory to help K’Ogalo take their points tally to 44.
However, Gor coach Steve Polack played down his side’s title talk despite seeing off Nzoia Sugar.
“I’m happy to have opened four points gap at the top. But it’s not yet celebration time because we have fourteen games left. We can’t get carried away by this victory, but instead we should remain focused and take one game at a time,” Polack told Standard Sports.
Gor Mahia started off the match aggressively piling pressure on Nzoia’s defence, but the visitors stuck to their deep defending and counter attacking strategy for the better part of the first half.
Samuel Onyango came close to breaking the deadlock in the tenth minute but shot straight into goalkeeper Boniface Mangala’s hands.
Moments later, Geoffrey Ochieng’s defensive error almost earned Nzoia the opener only for keeper David Mapigano to quickly come off his line and save the former Western Stima man’s blushes.
A half chance then fell to Samuel Onyango after a delivery from Balinya but he tapped wide before Clifton Miheso’s attempt hit the left post as both sides settled into the game.
Gor continued pressing and nearly went ahead on the half hour mark, but Mangala pulled off a spectacular save to stop Samuel Onyango’s thumping header before Joash Onyango made a last ditch tackle to deny Joseph Mwangi a scoring chance on the opposite end.
Mwangi was at it again in the 36th minute but his feeble shot was easily saved by Mapigano.
But after a series of threats, Gor finally got the breakthrough on the stroke of halftime when Balinya beat the goalkeeper after pouncing on Onyango’s rebound.
Nzoia responded immediately but Gaetan Masha miscued his effort after a cutback from the left flank.
Felicien Okanda then wasted another opportunity to draw level two minutes into the second half.
Balinya then grabbed his brace after the Ugandan easily connecting Onyango’s pass in the box.
And Mugana made amends for his misses in the 65th minute after goalkeeper Mangala spilled over Miheso’s shot, allowing the captain to tap in.
Balinya then paved way for Gor Mahia’s prodigal son Edwin Lavatsa in the 80th minute, but the scoreline remained intact.
[Reports by Rodgers Eshitemi, Washington Onyango and Ben Ahenda]
