Oliech comes off the bench to inspire Gor

Mt Kenya FC’s David Gateri (left) and Francis Kahata of Gor Mahia during KPL match at Kasarani stadium. Jan 16, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Former Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech came off the bench to score a penalty and provided an assist as Gor Mahia beat ten-man Mount Kenya United 4-1 in yesterday’s emotional SportPesa Premier League match at Kasarani Stadium.

Before kick off, the teams observed a minute of silence to honour Tuesday’s victims of Dusit Complex terror attack in which 14 people were killed including football enthusiast and Wadau TV founder James ‘Cobra’ Oduor.

It was a great result for the 17-time Kenyan champions ahead of Sunday’s  Caf Confederation Cup play-off reverse fixture against Cameroon’s New Stars de Douala in Limbe.

“It was a great performance from the players ahead of the New Stars return leg. To avoid injuries, I had to make changes to the team. If we continue playing like this,I’m confident we will qualify to the next round,” said Gor coach Hassan Oktay.

Gor, who secured a narrow 2-1 victory in last Sunday’s first leg at Kasarani, departs for Douala tomorrow knowing that they must avoid defeat to progress to the round of 16 of the second tier inter-club competition.

Ugandan import Erisa Ssekisambu hit a hattrick for Gor in a match that saw their opponents play the last thirty minutes one man less after defender Franco Balabala was given his marching orders for dissent.

It took Ssekisambu only three minutes to break the deadlock when he easily tapped home George Odhiambo’s incisive cross in an empty net.

This came barely a minute after Paul Odhiambo’s opener had been ruled offside in the opposite end.
Wellington Ochieng then earned a free kick for Gor on the right flank but Haron Shakava failed to direct Francis Kahata’s delivery into the net.

Moments later, Joash Onyango came to Gor’s rescue when he outmuscled and dispossessed Kelvin Thairu , who was on way to drawing level on the half hour mark.

Ephraim Guikan could have doubled the lead in the 35th minute, but the Ivorian blasted his effort wide before Samuel Ndung’u forced a fine save from Gor keeper Peter Odhiambo.

In the 40th minute, Francis Mustafa feebly headed wide Shafik Batambuze’s well executed free kick before Ndung’u squandered a chance to level the scores on the opposite end.

Oktay then made an early but tactical change with Guikan making way for Dennis Oliech on the stroke of halftime. The substitution didn’t go well with Guikan, who furiously ran into the dressing room as a section of the fans booed him.

Oliech gave K’Ogalo a two goal cushion in the 59th minute from the spot after Mustafa was brought down in the box by Thairu before Balabala was red carded.

Ten minutes later, Moses Odhiambo pulled a goal back for Mt Kenya before Oliech missed an open chance from Ssekisambu’s delivery.

Ssekisambu then grabbed his second goal of the day in the 78th minute when he comfortably tapped in a cross from the left flank.

Odhiambo thought he had reduced the deficit in the 87th minute only for his penalty kick to crash against the cross bar before Oliech set up Ssekisambu to complete his hattrick.

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