Champs Gor Mahia overcome Sofapaka in Taita

Gor Mahia FC's Alpha Onyango (left) and Michael Odongo of Vihiga FC during FKF PL match at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday, Jan 23, 2020. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Gor Mahia revived their chances of playing in the CAF Champions League next season thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 win over Sofapaka in today's FKF Premier League match in Taita Taveta.

The match seemed to be heading for a 1-1 draw only for Alpha Onyango to score a last gasp goal from Tito Okello’s cross.

The third consecutive victory temporarily took the pressure off the shoulders of Portuguese tactician Manuel Vaz Pinto as the sixth-placed K’Ogalo took their points tally 25, two behind fifth-placed Bandari. Batoto Ba Mungu remain ninth on the log with 19 points.

But despite the positive result at Wundanyi Stadium, Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto knows he has his work cut out as Gor Mahia must at least win all their June fixtures and pray their opponents drop the points for them to earn the Champions League ticket.

On Monday, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) issued a directive saying that the team that will be on top of the standings by June 30 shall be declared the Kenyan representative at next season’s Champions League.

But it was Sofapaka who started the game on a high note when Timothy Otieno almost punished his former club only for his tenth-minute effort to be easily gathered by goalkeeper Gad Mathews.

South Sudan striker Tito Okello then broke the deadlock with a cool header past a hapless Togolese goalkeeper Abuol Moubarak Togolese in the 28th minute..

Fullback Titus Achesa drew level in the 56th minute before Okello combined well with youthful Alpha Onyango for the winner in the 82nd minute.