KCB pip Bidco to take league leadership, Gor closes in on leaders
Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) reclaimed the 2020/21 Betking Premier League lead after securing a laboured 1-0 win over hosts Bidco United at Thika Stadium yesterday.
Following the success, KCB are now at the summit after collecting 39 points while erstwhile leaders Tusker who were stunned 1-0 by Posta Rangers on Tuesday, are a point adrift in the second position.
In the meantime, Gor Mahia closed in on the league frontrunners with yet another hard-fought 1-0 victory at the expense of relegation-haunted Mathare United at Ruaraka ground.
In Thika, Bidco did most of the attacking in the early moments but KCB held a strong frame of defense until it cracked,giving away a penalty that was cooly slotted in by Derrick Otanga.
Just like in the first half, Bidco made a fiery start in the second stanza but interestingly, it was KCB, who had applied extra strength in their back line, who nearly notched the second goal through a set-piece initiated by David Ouma in the 55th minute.
At Ruaraka, an own Mathare goal in the 42nd minute did the trick for Gor who are now steadily in contention for the title.
The goal came when Gor midfielder Alpaha Onyango darted past Mathare defenders and pulled the trigger with Lennox Ogutu turning the ball into his own net past a helpless goalkeeper Job Ochieng.
Gor started strongly, Kenneth Muguna’s free kick finding no taker in the 11th minute.
But as minutes ticked away, Gor’s defense was vulnerable to Mathare attacks with Tyson Otieno and Norman Ogolla each testing goalkeeper Gad Mathews with long range shots.
The closest of the strikes came on the half hour mark courtesy of Tyson whose rasping shot almost saw Matthews lose grip of the ball.
Elsewhere at Dawswon Mwanyumba Stadium in Wundanyi, Sofapaka eccentric international midfielder Lawrence Juma not only scored the fastest goal of the season but also helped himself to a superb brace in a dramatic 2-2 draw with AFC Leopards.
The former Gor Mahia man first struck in the 1st minute, beating Leopards goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan at the near post.
Nine minutes later, Juma was on the mark again with yet another predatory strike.
Un-pertubed, Leopards launched raids of their own in Batoto Ba Mungu’s goalmouth, Elvis Rupia restoring parity for the big cats through a penalty in the 18th minute for his 13th goal of the season before Austin Odhiambo made the tie all square 25 minutes to the end.
Sofapaka, who crashed 3-0 too Leopards in the first leg, rejigged the starting list by deploying Pistone Mutamba as the lead striker in place of injured Timothy Otieno and preferring Hevin Omondi between the posts to replace regular Aigba Moubarak,
At Utalii grounds, Levin Kimani scored a goal and made an assist for the other to pep up Wazito 2-0 over Kariobangi Sharks.
Wazito was in an uncompromising mood and raced into the lead in the 18th minute when Kimani made no mistake with a half volley before floating the ball to Rooney Onyango who soared above all in the box to net the second with a powerful header.
