K’Ogalo edge Zoo to profit from Tusker’s stumble as Homeboyz put six past hapless Chemelil Sugar
By James Magayi and Fred Likuyani
Defending champions Gor Mahia showed their mettle in Kericho when they came from behind twice to down gallant Zoo FC and cement their Kenyan Premier League leadership yesterday.
Samuel Onyango came off the bench to score the winner deep in injury time and break the hearts of Zoo who deserved something from the game.
The top-flight minnows exposed K’Ogalo’s soft underbelly by dissecting the league leaders’ backline in each half. A thoroughly changed formation in defence showed just how much suspended Joash Onyango is missed.
Kepha Ondati easily beat Fredrick Odhiambo for Zoo’s opener in the 27th minute before K’Ogalo’s saviour against Naivas in last week’s league cup Boniface Omondi leveled scores at the beginning of second half with a breathtaking shot.
Gor maintained parity for 15 minutes before Carvin Odongo sent panic waves with Zoo second goal in the 67th minute. Zoo old boy Nicholas Kipkirui deftly smacked K’Ogalo back to parity with 10 minutes left on the clock before Onyango wrapped the goods for Gor and left Zoo empty handed.
Meanwhile, Kakamega Homeboyz striker Christopher Masinza grabbed a brace as his side recorded the biggest win of the weekend, a 6-0 demolition of Chemelil Sugar at Bukhungu Stadium.
Homeboyz coach Nicholas Muyoti opted to rest veteran Allan Wanga, Kenyan international Moses Mudavadi and experienced goalkeeper David Juma, trusting Godfrey Oputi between the posts and wingers Stephen Etyang David with Masinza usurping Wanga’s role in attack which he did effectively.
Ten minutes into the match, David Okoth raced on the left side, beating two players before spotting Masinza who easily tapped in the opening goal and eight minutes to the break, Homeboyz defender Benjamin Oketch made it 2-0.
Masinza was on the mark again at the stroke of the break with a clinical finish.
The hosts added more through Shami Kibwana, Ronald Otieno and Peter Thiong’o.
In Nakuru, wide man Masita Masuta scored a brace as Ulinzi Stars overcame relegation bound Kisumu All Stars in an entertaining five goal thriller.
Masuta broke the deadlock early in the game when he pounced on a split ball by Kisumu All Stars goalkeeper Gad Matthews to bundle the soldiers ahead.
The former Kariobangi Sharks custodian was unable to gather Daniel Waweru’s powerful shot in the sixth minute and Masuta was on hand to finish off.
Bernard Ongoma, rejuvenated from military training then doubled the soldiers advantage in the 27th minute when he poked home from close range John Njuguna’s corner.
KENYAN PREMIER LEAGUE
Sunday
Zoo FC 2-3 Gor Mahia
KK Homeboyz 6-0 Chemelil
Tusker 1-1 Wazito
Ulinzi 3-2 Kisumu All Stars
Saturday
Bandari 3-1 Mathare United
Posta Rangers 1-3 KCB
Western Stima 0-0 K.Sharks
AFC Leopards 2-1 Sofapaka
