K’Ogalo bounces back
Rodgers Ndegwa
Multiple league champions Gor Mahia FC finally found their mojo back after a series of losses, as they bounced back to beat former league winners Mathare United 3-1 in a thrilling midweek Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League match at Kasarani Stadium yesterday.
Prior to yesterday’s match, K’Ogalo had gone for four matches without a win and had conceded mind boggling 14 goals in the four fixtures, they lost 2-1 to league rivals Tusker on December 16, before conceding 6-0 to Algeria champions CR Belouizdad in the first leg of their Confederation of African Football (CAF) first leg match on December 26 and in the second leg of the duel they lost 2-1 on January 6.
Last weekend they were trailing 3-1 to Kariobangi Sharks by half time before they went ahead to lose the match 4-3.
But yesterday the story was different as they made new Portuguese coach Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto proud with a win in his debut.
The 48- year old tactician was unveiled last week to replace Brazilian Roberto Oliviera who had issues with his qualification papers.
Gor begun the match with vigor, with multiple shots on targets from their attacking duo of Jules Ulimwengu and Clifton Miheso who combined well to pile relentless pressure on the Mathare goal.
Their efforts finally yielded results in the fourth minute when towering defender Charles Momanyi rose high to head in Clifton Miheso’s corner for the first goal.
Mathare’s efforts to level the scores were highly thwarted by Gor’s well erected defense which stood firm eliminating any threats sent their way.
In the 17th minute Gor’s Samuel Onyango intercepted a feeble pass between their opponent’s custodian Job Ochieng and midfielder Alphonse Ndonye and quickly passed it to an unmarked Kenneth Muguna who easily tapped in for the second goal and a 2-0 half time lead.
Upon resumption, Mathare seemed settled and controlled enjoyed possession, but with minimal threats to a relaxed Bonface Olouch in between K’Ogallo sticks.
In the 75th minute K’Ogallo found themselves on the receiving end when Joachim Ochieng fouled Chrispin Ochieng inside the box and Dani Lual stepped up and easily converted the penalty for their first goal but their joy was short-lived as Aphonse Onyango scored the third goal and winner for Gor in the 89th minute.
In the final minutes of the heated match, there was a standstill after Gor’s substitute Nicholas Kipkirui and James Kinyanjui who was on the bench were awarded a red after engaging in a fist-fight after a Kipkirui’s nasty tackle on Martin Ongori.
