GOR KEEP UP CHASE:K’Ogalo beat Muhoroni to close in on Tusker

Gor Mahia FC's Meddie Kagere celebrate a goal during KPL Match against AFC at Nyayo National Stadium, Oct 23, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Gor Mahia moved closer to winning this year’s Kenyan Premier League (KPL) tittle after stopping Muhoroni Youth 2-0 in Kisumu yesterday.

The win was, however, dampened by revelation that they will not take part in next year’s CAF Champions League even if they win the league as the team failed to beat the deadline for CAF licensing.

Goals by Jacques Tuyisenge and Meddie Kagere (pictured) were enough to send Gor Mahia to within one point of leaders Tusker who play AFC Leopards today in Nakuru.

The win took Gor’ points tally to 54, just one behind leaders Tusker who could be the champions if they beat AFC Leopards at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru today.

K’Ogalo’s last match of the season will be against the brewers and having played their part, their followers will be hoping that bitter rivals Ingwe put a brave fight and at very least hold Tusker ahead of the final show down next weekend.

Victory for Tusker today means the last game will, however, be a formality as the brewers will be declared champions.

Gor kicked off the match on a high and within the first five minutes they had already threatened twice, but Francis Kahata’s header was direct at Farouk Shikalo’s hands having been set up by Kagere.

Gor’s persistence paid off in the 10th minute when the club’s most expensive acquisition Tuyisenge gave them the lead b y tapping in the ball from close range.

Muhoroni’s winger Benjamin Mosha could have levelled the scores immediately following a quick counter attack, but he placed his shot wide of the upright even though he had only Boniface Oluoch to beat.

From then on, the home side seemed to be in no mood to threaten with only Lwamba Bebeto keen to attack the Gor defence.

Mohoroni’s complacency allowed overlapping defender Eric Ouma to make frequent runs at the opposing side at will and this rewarded the visitors a second goal on the half an hour mark when Tuyisenge found his compatriot Kagere to tap into an empty net.

There was even room to make it 3-0 before the break had George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo been quick enough to beat on-rushing Shikalo who made a quick clearance just outside the box.

Meanwhile, news that Gor Mahia are out of next year’s Champions League was broken by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) on Friday.

According to a letter written by FKF Chief Executive Officer Robert Muthomi, the club licensing committee has held several meetings with Gor Mahia in a bid to try and help them beat the deadline in vain.

Gor Mahia Chief Executive Officer Lodvick Aduda said the letter was in bad faith and he vowed to appeal.

“We are shocked by the letter. All along we knew we were on track to meet the deadline. We have 14 days to lodge an appeal and we will do that,” he said.