Gor Mahia unstoppable, wobbly Tusker fire coach: Goalkeeping errors and impressive Gor’s display highlight round 12 action

Gor Mahia FC forward Jacques Tuyisenge (L) celebrates with teammate Ephrem Guikan after scoring against Thika United FC during their Kenyan Premier League match at Kenyatta stadium in Machakos on April 22, 2018. Gor mahia FC won 5-2. Photo/Stafford Ondego/www.sportpicha.com

K’Ogalo prove their worth in KPL as Tusker fire Timbe.

There were many talking points ranging from upsets, coach sacking and red cards, high scores to goalkeeping errors in the round 12 of the Kenyan Premier League.

For the umpteenth time, champions Gor Mahia proved to be in a class of their own when they brought Thika United to their knees in their goal laden (5-2) Sunday match in Machakos.

Francis Kahata was the hero again, providing a master-class assist before capping it off with a brilliant strike to help Gor leapfrog Mathare United at the top with three games in hand.

Kahata, together with Samuel Onyango and Meddie Kagere, came on in style to score a goal apiece and appraised football lovers of K’Ogalo’s quality, depth and ability to turn things around.

“The boys showed character and that’s something we have been doing in our last few matches. Sometimes substitutions work and sometimes they don’t.

“Kahata made a killer pass for Meddie that for me was better than his goal. That’s the ability he has and he believes in himself more,” Gor coach Dylan Kerr told The Standard Sports.

Gor were brought back into the game by Thika goalkeeper Allan Owiny’s howler when he gifted them a second goal equaliser.

However, the dominance and the attacking brilliance completed an excellent performance from the 16-time champions, who look like a team to beat again this year.

“Individual mistakes cost us and brought Gor back into the match,” said Thika coach Nicholas Muyoti.

Tusker FC fire Ugandan Sam Timbe due to poor results

It was the same situation at Camp Toyoyo on Saturday when Job Ochieng’s goalkeeping error cost Mathare dearly, as they fell to a late Wazito talisman Pistone Mutamba’s free kick in a match that the Slum Boys’ coach Francis Kimanzi was sent to the stands for encroaching onto the pitch while clamouring for a penalty.

Bandari handed AFC Leopards their third defeat (1-0) of the campaign, as newcomers Vihiga United bagged their second win of the season after seeing off Nzoia Sugar 3-1.

However, it was Tusker’s 3-1 thrashing at the hands of Zoo in Kericho that was the talk of the town, as it led to the firing of coach Sam Timbe and his entire technical bench.

The writing was on the wall, as Timbe, who succeeded his Ugandan compatriot George Nsimbe in January, had been given two games to save his job. The inevitable happened.

He becomes the third Ugandan to be sacked by the brewers in less than two years after the departure of Paul Nkata (2016) and Nsimbe (2017) respectively.

"Timbe was given an ultimatum to win either against Vihiga United or Zoo. His fate was sealed in Kericho after the loss," a source close to the club, told The Standard Sports.

But, Tusker woes seems to be beyond firing coaches and overhauling the playing unit.

Despite them winning a double in 2016, poor management with vested interests remain the root cause of the problem that has plagued the team much longer.

The key decision makers have reportedly been running the club like a personal property and using coaches as scapegoat for the team's failures.

Timbe landed into their trap when he agreed to take over a team that he never signed a single player after the same officials released 14 players at the end of last season.

The turnover is an indictment of poor management decisions and unrealistic expectations. It seems Tusker are slowly perfecting what AFC Leopards have been doing by not giving coaches a chance to adapt and grow with their players.

It now remains to be seen how Robert Matano who is reportedly going back to the Ruaraka-based club, will turn their fortunes around again.