Champions Gor Mahia end Bandari’s unbeaten home record

Champions Gor Mahia yesterday ended Bandari’s unbeaten home record after beating them 2-0 at the Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa.

There were mixed results in the seven Kenya Premier League matches played in various venues across the country.

At Nyayo Stadium, substitute Calvin Odongo struck in the dying minutes to inspire Posta Rangers to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a resilient Ushuru.

In Muhoroni, leading goal scorer Wycliffe Ochomo hit a brace as Muhoroni Youth beat visiting Nairobi City Stars 2-0, while Ulinzi Stars defeated visiting Chemelil Sugar 2-1 at Afraha Stadium.

In Machakos, Mathare United retained their top spot on the table following a 2-2 draw against Tusker.

In Mombasa, George Odhiambo’s strike and Felly Mulumba’s own goal, was all K’Ogalo needed to secure their fourth win of the season and take their points tally to 17 same as seventh-placed Western Stima and eighth placed Muhoroni, but with a superior goal difference.

After a barren first half at Nyayo Stadium, both sides made changes but it was Rangers coach Zedekiah Otieno’s substitutions that paid off. Rangers got the breakthrough in the 93rd minute when Odongo capitalised on his opponents’ defensive blunder to beat goalkeeper Shaban Idhoji with lowly-powerful shot.

Otieno couldn’t hide his joy as he praised the fighting spirit of his players.

“The boys really need a pat on the back. Unlike our opponents (Ushuru), we had a few days to recover after our match against Tusker. You could see the way we were struggling in the opening minutes. But I am happy the substitutions we did made all the difference and we were able to get a goal,” Otieno said.

Despite the win, the former Harambee Stars coach said he was not pleased with the referee’s display in the final quarter of the game.

“Officiating is becoming a big concern; it is getting out of hand and I think people concerned should do something. Likono (Gearson) was fouled from behind in the box and was in a scoring position, but the referee did nothing,” complained Otieno.

Rangers are now third with 20 points and have leapfrogged AFC Leopards in the standings.

­—Reports by Rodgers Eshitemi, Philip Orwa, Ernest Ndunda and Ben Ahenda