Gor Mahia stun Sofapaka in Wundanyi
Edwin Otieno
Second half subsitute Alpha Omondi made all the difference as he scored the winning goal to earn Gor Mahia a laboured 2-1 win over 2009 champions Sofapaka at the Wundanyi Stadium in a mouth watering mid-week Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League duel yesterday.
Omondi had just been in the field for six minutes after he was brought in for Abdoul Karim in the 74th minute, when he notched the winner in the 80th minute to earn K’Ogalo the maximum points.
South Sudan international Tito Okello broke the deadlock for the visitors with a header in the 27th minute, but Titus Achesa replied for Sofapaka with a goal in the 53rd minute.
Sofapaka coach Ken Odhiambo made two changes from the team that beat Wazito FC 2-0 at the same venue on Sunday, deciding to replace David Kingatua with Isaac Mitima and striker Pistone Mutamba with fellow goal getter Timothy Otieno.
The homeside seemed to press for an early goal, but Gor held on and scored the first goal against the run of play when Okello nodded in the ball past an advancing Sofapaka custodian Aigba Moubarak.
Sofapaka’s Lawrence Juma came close in the 32nd minute from a free kick, but it went inches wide, with Gor goalie Gad Mathew in no man’s land.
In the second half, the hosts started on a high tempo and were rewarded in the 53rd minute by Achesa’s equaliser.
Two minutes later, coach Odhiambo who had smelled blood, brought in striker Kepha Aswani and winnger Kingatua for Ambrose Sifuna and Nixon Otieno as he chased the winning goal.
The changes had an immediate impact as they relentlessly attacked the visitors goal.
The hosts added the services of Paul Kiongera in the 62nd minute but he just lasted in the pitch for 22 minutes, before he was also rested in favour of former Harambee Stars striker Mutamba as they chased an elusive goal.
