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NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

CRACK IN GOR MAHIA’S ARMOUR: Ze Maria snubs media as Tusker wheel away in title race

Football

By Rodgers Eshitemi | Aug 09, 2016

*Gor Mahia Coach Ze Maria react against Tusker during their KPL match at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday 16/04/16.PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO*

Pressure is mounting on Gor Mahia head coach Jose Marcelo ‘Ze Maria’ after the 15-time Kenyan Premier League champions failed to win their last two league matches as their title rivals Tusker restored their four-point lead. Reports have also emerged K’Ogalo fans pelted their team bus with missiles following the draw that also saw coach Ze Maria decline to face the media.

Frustration was even the more excruciating as Tusker beat Mathare United 2-0 the day before.

K’Ogalo have won only one of their last five matches, with Sunday’s second consecutive barren draw against Bandari in Kisumu denting their hopes of closing the gap between themselves and league leaders Tusker, who hit a 40-point mark with the Mathare United win.

But with nine matches to go, Gor Mahia now face the seemingly tremendous task to overhaul the brewers’ four-point lead.

Having failed to capitalise on Tusker’s slip-ups on two occasions and allowing their title rivals to bounce back against Mathare, Gor Mahia fans had described Sunday’s encounter as a must-win match for their team.

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However, that never came to pass as Ken Odhiambo’s Bandari had other plans for the champions, frustrating their hosts to a goalless draw.

Disappointed by his side’s display, Ze Maria left the pitch in a huff, snubbing the post-match interview, leaving it to captain Musa Mohamed to address the media.

“There is pressure on us because we are not performing as expected. But at Gor pressure is something that you have to get used to. We still have nine games to go and I am optimistic we can turn things around. We just have to concentrate on our matches,” said Mohamed, whose side face Posta Rangers in their next match on Sunday.

However, the highlight of the weekend was Saturday’s match between AFC Leopards and Ushuru in Mumias.

Super substitute Kepha Aswani was once again the hero, coming off the bench to hit a brace and inspire ninth-placed AFC to a memorable comeback in a five-goal thriller.

The double saw Aswani, who came off the bench to salvage a point during last Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Posta Rangers, take his goal tally to ten, two behind joint leading scorers John Makwatta (Ulinzi Stars) and Wycliffe Ochomo (Muhoroni Youth).

But there was another classic fixture in Machakos, where Sofapaka registered the biggest win of the weekend and their third win of the season after thrashing Nairobi City Stars 5-0 in relegation battle.

Enock Okwil, Jafar Gichuki, Noah Abich, Moses Odhiambo and Isaac Mutanga scored a goal each to secure an emphatic victory for Batoto Ba Mungu.

However, the huge win did not affect Sofapaka’s position on the table as they are still rooted at the bottom with 12 points, one point behind the Kawangware-based side.

Sofapaka’s emphatic victory, came a day after Western Stima’s Cinderella run had been brought to a sudden halt by a rejuvenated Sony Sugar, who trounced their hosts 3-0 in Nakuru.

Thika United were held to a 1-1 draw by seventh placed Kakamega Homeboyz as Jared Obwoge struck a last gasp strike to secure the maximum points for Chemelil Sugar in their 1-0 victory over visiting Muhoroni Youth at the Chemelil Complex.