Chinonso hurts K'Ogalo with a brace

Gor Mahia's Kenneth Muguna (left) and Mohamed Kilume of Sofapaka FC during KPL match at Narok stadium on Feb 8, 2020. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

It was a Nigerian affair with Promise Chinonso hitting a brace as Sofapaka produced a masterclass performance to stun record Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia 3-1 in Saturday's match at Narok Stadium.

Chinonso scored on either half to help John Baraza's side with a sweet and swift revenge on the league leaders K'Ogalo, who had beaten them 2-1 two weeks ago in Kisumu.

Samuel Onyango's first-half equaliser couldn't save Gor blushes as Sofapaka played their hearts out making the Green Army look ordinary.

Gor, a team supposedly on the course of their 19th record title, was beaten convincingly by a determined and resolute Batoto Ba Mungu in a physical encounter.

Despite the defeat, Gor are still at the top of the table with 44 points, three more than second placed Kakamega Homeboyz who were held to a 1-1 draw by Bandari in Mombasa.

But it is Nigerian midfielder Ikekhai Sunday's 83rd minute screamer that was the talk of the match as it put the game beyond Gor's reach.

A visibly disappointed Gor coach Steven Polack said: "We got our chances, hit the post but it seems it wasn't our day. All the same congratulations to Sofapaka they scored the goals and we didn't. Our focus now is on the next game."

His Sofapaka counterpart John Baraza said their great strategy won the game. "We had prepared well and mastered what Gor Mahia have been doing. We used their weaknesses to our advantage. I'm pleased with our performance and the classic goals we scored," said Baraza.

Chinonso gave Sofapaka an early lead when he beat goalkeeper Robert Mapigano inside the first minute after collecting an incisive cross from Elly Asieche.

But Juma Balinya almost drew level for K'Ogalo in the tenth minute after pouncing on a poor clearance from goalkeeper Richard Aimo but his shot hit the right post.

However, Gor intensified their attacks and they were rewarded four minutes later when Samuel Onyango out jumped his markers to head home Kenneth Muguna's corner kick.

Batoto Ba Mungu responded immediately but Ugandan striker Brian Kayanja chipped the ball over the bar after beating an off side trap.

Samuel Onyango then received a brilliant pass from Balinya, but an impressive Aimo did well to stop his effort before the Sofapaka custodian once again denied him in the 41st minute.

Kayanja could have restored Sofapaka's lead on the stroke of halftime but defender Charles Momanyi made a fantastic goalline clearance to block his close range effort.

Sofapaka regained the lead nine minutes into the second half after Chinonso headed Asieche's corner kick past the goalkeeper.

Sunday then put the game beyond Gor reach with a wonder strike in the 87th minute to inflict the third defeat on the league leaders.

In an early match at the same venue, moneybags Wazito registered their third victory of the season after beating Western Stima in Narok as Chemelil Sugar saw off Posta Rangers 2-1 in Muhoroni.

Kenyan international Musa Masika was involved in both Wazito's goals with his last gasp strike securing the crucial points for Stewart Hall's men.

Masika released the ball to left back Dennis Ng'ang'a who then beat his markers to set up Liberian striker Augustine Otu for the opening goal in the 51st minute.