Mashemeji derby: Gor Mahia beat Ingwe 1-0 at Moi Sports Centre Kasarani

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga follow action between AFC Leopards SC and Gor Mahia FC during their Kenyan Premier League match dubbed Mashemeji Derby at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi on March 08, 2020. Photo[Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Ingwe yet to crack a winning formula against K'Ogalo in eight league meetings.

Once again, AFC Leopards fans left Kasarani Stadium on Sunday in pain after Gor Mahia beat Ingwe 1-0 to extend their dominance in the Mashemeji derby.

Boniface Omondi's 27th-minute strike is all Steven Polack's men needed to complete a double over their arch-rivals in a match graced by president Uhuru Kenyatta, ODM leader Raila Odinga and his ANC counterpart, Musalia Mudavadi.

Though K'Ogalo's 30th derby victory saw them open a seven-point lead (54) at the top of the Kenyan Premier League, Polack played down suggestions that it would determine where the title will go on May 23.

"To be honest, AFC Leopards really gave us a run for our money. This game was tougher than the first leg. We still have a long way to go before the end of the season. This was not a defining game for the title. So, we will keep on pushing and taking one game at a time," Polack told Standard Sports.

But for his AFC Leopards counterpart Anthony Kimani, this is still work in progress as they continue to hunt for the elusive derby win they last registered in June 2016.

"This is exactly what happens when you fail to make good use of your chances. But I'm pleased with the general performance of the boys. We didn't disintegrate after conceding the goal. We were still in the game. We did our best and created many chances but luck wasn't on our side," said Kimani.

Collins Shichenje (L) of AFC Leopards SC fihght for ball with Bonface Omondi of Gor Mahia FC during their Kenyan Premier League match dubbed Mashemeji Derby at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi on March 08, 2020. Photo[Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Leopards started on the front foot, but it is Gor who had a first chance in the early proceedings when Clifton Miheso raced down the left channel only for his shot to go wide.

K'Ogalo then earned a free kick, but Robinson Kamura perfectly blocked Kenneth Muguna's effort.

Moments later, Austin Odhiambo danced through Gor defence before releasing the ball to Elvis Rupia, but the former Wazito man angled his shot wide before he forced a fine save from goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch.

Gor responded immediately, but Leopards defence did well to stop Muguna's effort from the right channel.

Leopards had a chance to go ahead in the 19th minute when Austin Odhiambo pounced on Oburu's rebound in the area, but indecision cost him as the opposition's backline recovered to dispossess him.

Gor Mahia FC fans cheer their team against AFC Leopards SC during their Kenyan Premier League match dubbed Mashemeji Derby at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi on March 08, 2020. Photo[Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Muguna then saw a long-range effort easily gathered by goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan before Kamura shot straight at the keeper on the opposite end.

Leopards came close in the 23rd minute but Rupia feebly headed Jaffary Owiti's pinpointed cross into Oluoch's hands before Ochan came off his line to deny Muguna from a cleverly taken free-kick by Jackson Owusu.

But Gor found the breakthrough in the 27th minute through Boniface Omondi's effort following a goalmouth melee from Clifton Miheso's corner.

Gor nearly doubled the lead in the 31 minute but Kamura reacted fast to intercept Omondi's dangerous delivery from the right flank before Charles Momanyi headed away Austin Odhiambo's effort on the opposite end.

Leopards came close to drawing level in the 38th minute but Oburu's feebly shot was easily gathered by Oluoch after a brilliant build-up play.

Nicholas Kipkirui would then miss a golden chance to double Gor's lead on the stroke of halftime.

Leopards' first substitution came just after the restart with Boniface Mukhekhe replacing Owiti.

Moments later, Rupia wasted two chances in succession. He was first let down by his touch in the 48th minute before Oluoch pulled off a fine save to deny him in the 50th minute.

ODM leaderr Raila Odinga and Musalia Mudavadi follow action between AFC Leopards SC and Gor Mahia FC during their Kenyan Premier League match dubbed Mashemeji Derby at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi on March 08, 2020. Photo[Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Ochan then came to AFC's rescue when he pulled off a brilliant save to stop Miheso's thunderbolt at the edge of the box before he paved way for Samuel Onyango.

A few minutes later, Kipkirui wasted another precious chance when he found himself one on one with the keeper after leaving Kamura for the dead.

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