K’Ogalo beat Sofapaka as Mathare hold Leopards barren draw after wasted chances

Haron Shakava (left) of Gor Mahia and Umar Kasumba of Sofapaka vie for ball possession during their Kenyan Premier League clash at Moi Stadium, Kisumu, on Wednesday, September 27, 2017. [Phillip Orwa]

Gor Mahia are now eight points clear at the top of the Kenyan Premier League log after edging out Sofapaka 2-1 in yesterday’s fixture at Moi Stadium, Kisumu.

Goals from George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo in the ninth minute and Meddie Kagere in the 63rd minute were enough to hand Gor all three points.

Sofapaka’s only goal was scored by Umar Kasumba in the 40th minute, but it was not enough to save his side from losing a second match in a row.

At Kasarani, AFC Leopards and Mathare United battled to a goalless draw in a match characterised by wasted chances, which left both coaches fuming.

The result saw 11th placed Leopards take their points tally to 27, six points more than 14th ranked Mathare.

“We were very lucky in the opening minutes. Leopards could have taken an early lead but we survived.  I’m satisfied with the point, but we deserved more. We just have to continue working hard,” said Mathare coach Francis Kimanzi.

His AFC Leopards counterpart Robert Matano said: “We only played well in the second half. We have not trained as a team, that’s why there was no cohesion. There is slow improvement, but we lack that quality. We are struggling but I just have to use what we have. We need to move up to a more respectable place on the table.”

Leopards threatened first as early as the second minute but Vincent Oburu was denied twice by goalkeeper Levis Opiyo before Lennox Ogutu made a goal line clearance.

Three minutes later, Cliff Nyakeya forced a fine save from AFC goalkeeper Ian Otieno.

In the tenth minute, Mathare keeper pulled off a brilliant save from Alexis Kitenge’s attempt before Musa Mudde shot wide the resulting rebound.

Mathare responded immediately, but Otieno stopped John Mwangi’s effort. Samuel Ndung’u had a chance to put Leopards ahead in the 25th minute but his shot was blocked by an opposing defender before Salim Abdalla made a superb tackle on Mathare’s Elijah Mwanzia.

Otieno then parried away Tyson Otieno’s thunderous shot before Salim fluffed his effort from Robinson Kamura’s free kick with the goalkeeper only to beat.

Leopards could have been punished on the stroke of halftime but they were lucky as Tyson Otieno’s attempt bounced off target.

Once again, Opiyo had to come off his line to stop onrushing Oburu before Mathare’s Roy Okal swinging header went wide. Wyvonne Isuza then fluffed his shot.

Substitute Chris Ochieng forced another brilliant save from the AFC goalkeeper, but his teammate, Tyson Otieno, blusted wide the rebound before the youngster missed a sitter.

Mathare’s keeper would come to their rescue again, saving Marcellus Ingotsi’s clever chip to ensure the match ended in a draw.