League champions could win title with victory over rivals AFC

Kelvin Omondi (right) of Gor Mahia battles for the ball with Francis Ochollah of Chemelil Sugar at Afraha Stadium during the Sportpesa premier League match on August 16,2018.Photo:Kipsang Joseph/Standard

Gor Mahia continued their march towards their unprecedented 17th league title with a narrow 1-0 victory over relegation threatened Chemelil Sugar at Afraha Stadium, yesterday.

Yesterday’s result means Gor now need six points to retain the title.

They next play Sofapaka before facing arch-rivals AFC Leopards, where they could win the league with win over Ingwe.

Substitute Eliud Lokuwam’s 77th minute strike is all that K’Ogalo needed to open up a 17-point gap over second placed Bandari.

This is the type of performance coach Dylan Kerr needed ahead of Sunday’s CAF Confederations Cup Group D fixture against visiting Rayon Sports of Rwanda.

“Neither team deserved to win. It was a scrappy game that has given us extra lessons ahead of the Rayon match,” said Kerr after the match.

Gor Mahia started off the brighter side and came close in the 19th minute but goalkeeper Richard Aimo pulled off a double save from Ephrem Guikan and Kevin Omondi.

The millers then launched a counter-attack, but Gor backline recovered fast to thwart the danger before Omondi skied his shot.

However, the run-away league leaders suffered an injury scare on the stroke of halftime when Guikan collided with Chemelil keeper forcing Kerr to replace him with utility player Innocent Wafula.

The match seemed headed for a draw before Lokuwam came off the bench to capitalise on the millers’ defensive mix-up to put the ball into an empty net.

Meanwhile, after months of speculation, betting firm SportPesa has finally confirmed the date of the eagerly awaited exhibition match between English Premier League side Everton and Kenyan champions Gor Mahia in Liverpool.

The historic rematch dubbed the SportPesa Trophy clash will be played either on November 6 or 7 at Goodison Park.

The match had been thrown in doubt following Everton and Gor’s busy schedule.

This will be the second meeting between the two clubs in less than two years after the Toffees beat K’Ogalo 2-1 in the reverse fixture in Dar es Saalam on July 13 last year.

Gor Mahia earned their historic ticket to Merseyside after they edged out Simba SC 2-0 in the Super Cup final on June 10 in Nakuru.

Gor captain Harun Shakava can’t wait to play at one of the oldest stadiums in the world.

“This is a reward for teamwork and everybody is looking forward to the Everton match. We can’t wait to play at Goodison Park,” said Shakava.