K’Ogalo steps on gas pedal: Gor shift gears as Tusker’s revival continues

AFC Leopards Bernard Mangoli(L) and Bernard Odhiambo of Zoo Kericho battle for ball possession during their Sportpesa Premier League match at Kenyatta Stadium Machakos on Sunday 14/05/17.PHOTO.BONIFACE OKENDO

K’Ogalo open two-point lead as AFC Leopards' struggles continue.

Gor Mahia extended their stay at the top of the Kenyan Premier League with a 1-0 win over hosts Nzoia Sugar as Ghanaian import Gilbert Fiamenyo came off the bench to snatch a point for AFC Leopards in a 1-1 draw with Zoo Kericho in Machakos yesterday.

It was, however, goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch’s man-of-the-match performance that provided the story of the weekend as Gor Mahia edged out hard-fighting Nzoia Sugar.

Rwandese striker Meddie Kagere outran the Nzoia backline to score the only goal of the match at the quarter hour mark.

But it was Oluoch’s performance in the first half that provided major talking points.

First he denied Boniface Omondi in the 26th minute. The dimunitive striker had struck a free kick just outside Gor Mahia’s danger zone, but a hawk-eyed Oluoch dealt with it well for a corner kick.

Then, he dived on the right side to deny Edwin Wafula scoring a penalty in the 32nd minute. And that was not all. Elvis Rupia’s well taken shot was put just out by the Gor Mahia goalkeeper with two minute to the end of the first half.

“Our players were tired as a result of playing so many matches. But I am glad that their winning mentality helped us get three points,” Jose Marcelo, Gor Mahia coach.

The victory saw K’Ogalo open a two point lead (25 points) at the top after Posta Rangers were held to a barren draw by Nakumatt.

Champions Tusker went level on points (21) with third placed Ulinzi Stars after seeing off Sony Sugar 2-1 in Ruaraka.

In Machakos, Zoo went ahead midway second half through captain Johnston Ligare’s header before Fiamenyo beat Zoo goalkeeper Vincent Misikhu from Robinson Kamura’s injury time free kick to take his goals tally to five and save Ingwe blushes.

AFC coach Stewart Hall started with “AFC Leopards should consider themselves lucky. We didn’t deserve to drop the three points. We have unluckily lost the maximum points, but that’s the nature of the game,” a disappointed Zoo Kericho coach Sammy Okoth told The Standard Sports.

“We were the best side but loss of concentration in the final minutes of the game gifted them a goal. All the same that’s a good show from the boys.”

AFC coach Stewart Hall boldy started with Fiamenyo and Allan Kateregga on the bench after the pair was reportedly involved in a bust-up after their away 1-0 defeat to Sony Sugar.

AFC threatened first in the tenth a but Wvyonne Isuza tapped wide Samuel Ndung’u’s delivery from the left before the former Muhoroni man forced a fine save from Zoo goalkeeper.

Bernardo Wanguche saw his cross cleared by Kamura on the half hour mark before Paul Kiongera was dispossessed by a solid Zoo defence in the box.

In the 33rd minute AFC goalkeeper Gabriel Andika had to come off his line to deny Nicholas Kipkirui a scoring chance before easily gathering Wanguche’s feeble shot.

AFC could have gone into the break leading, but Zoo custodian did well to block Kamura’s dangerous free kick.

After a series of raids, Zoo finally broke the deadlock on the hour mark when Ligare rose above his marker to head home corner Geoffrey Gichana’s corner kick.

This was just after Abdalla Salim’s attempt to clear Kipkirui’s cross luckily missed his own net by a whisker.

Joshua Mawira had an opportunity to draw level in the 68th minute but his long range effort missed target by a whisker before Andika pulled off a fine save from Wanguche’s attempt. (Reports by Rodgers Eshitemi, Gilbert Wandera and Ben Ahenda)