Gor Mahia are making Premier League a boring affair

Gor Mahia FC goalkeeper David Mapigano during KPL match against Nzoia FC at Kenyatta Stadium. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Polack impressed by Balinya’s performance as Rupia earns Kimani praise after scoring on AFC debut.

For Kenyan Premier League record winners Gor Mahia, winning seems to be their way of life.

For an enviable 18 times, the K’Ogalo nation has painted the town green, while lifting the KPL title. In fact, since 2013, they have won the league title with every season, safe for 2016, when Tusker FC blotted their fine chart.

But since then, it has been a smooth sail for Gor, and they don’t seem ready to let go off the gas pedal, not yet.

Gor saw off Nzoia Sugar 3-0 on Sunday in Machakos to go four points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.

And in their brigade, they have reliable arsenal, that is ready to fire them to glory, more glory. 

K’Ogalo’s decision to sign the 2018-2019 Ugandan Premier League season golden boot winner Juma Balinya from Tanzanian giants Yanga after he prematurely terminated his two-year contract appears to have started paying off immediately.

Balinya announced his arrival into the domestic league in style scoring a brace in Gor’s triumph.

But the Ugandan import will have to thank Samuel Onyango for his impressive display after the former Ulinzi Stars winger was involved in both goals before he was replaced by Gor’s prodigal son Edwin Lavatsa in the 80th minute.

Balinya pounced on Onyango’s rebound to claim his first goal in the green shirt on the stroke of halftime.

The pair combined again for the Ugandan’s second goal in the 63rd minute before captain Kenneth Muguna netted two minutes later to seal the convincing victory for Gor.

And after seeing Balinya help the club to open up a four-point gap over their title rivals Kakamega Homeboyz (40), who were frustrated to a 1-1 draw at home by Wazito, Gor coach Steve Palock delivered his verdict on the striker’s display.

“Balinya couldn’t get a better debut than this. Actually, he could have scored a hat-trick but I think he got tired because he hasn’t played for a while and that’s why I took him off,” Polack told Standard Sports.

“I could have substituted him earlier but I was trying to give him a chance to get a hat-trick. Without doubt, he is going to be a very important player to our team.”

Other players who made a dream start to their careers at new clubs in the round 19 of the Kenyan Premier League matches at the weekend include Peter Lwassa (Kariobangi Sharks) and Elvis Rupia (AFC Leopards), who were all on target for their respective new employers.

Just like Balinya, Rupia’s match winner and impressive display against Ulinzi Stars (1-0) in Nakuru earned him praise from his AFC Leopards coach Anthony Kimani.

The Wazito outcast, who was signed on the transfer deadline day as John Makwata’s replacement, scored a last gasp goal on his Ingwe debut to end the soldiers’16-game unbeaten run.

“I’m very happy for Rupia for making a dream start to his AFC Leopards’ career. With his superb positioning and goal scoring instincts, I’m confident he will be able to fill the void left by Makwata,” said Kimani.