By Michael Kirwa
Gor Mahia put behind their elimination from the 2024/25 CAF Champions League with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Mathare United as they commenced the defence of their league title at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Saturday.
Last season’s Most Valuable Player Austin Odhiambo started the rout with a goal in the 45th minute before K’Ogalo had their lead doubled three minutes into the second half after Mathare United put the ball in their own net.
Even with victory all but secured, the Leonardo Neiva-coached side did not take their foot off the pedal as Geoffrey ‘Simiti’ Ochieng’ added a third in 75th minute before new signing Gedeon Bendeka put the icing on the cake with a goal in the 92nd minute.
That dominant display by the record Kenyan champions culminated in them rising to 10th place on the league standings, marking a perfect start in a campaign where they are seeking a third consecutive title. With three matches in hand, K’Ogalo trail current leaders KCB, who are on ten points, by seven points.
While things seem to be looking up for Gor Mahia, Mathare United’s return to the topflight continues to be a series of rude awakenings as the 2008 champions are yet to win a match this season.
Their record after four matches reads two losses and two draws with nine goals conceded and only one scored, a worrying run of form that leaves them 14th with just two points.
ALSO READ: SportPesa Mega Jackpot hits incredible 383 million!
Shabana match fails to kick off in Kisii
Elsewhere, Shabana’s match against Posta Rangers failed to kick off after match officials failed to turn up for the game despite attending the pre-match meeting according to a statement from FKF, marking an anti-climactic end to Shabana’s long-awaited return to Gusii Stadium – a venue that has been starved of topflight football for two decades.
Shabana’s long-awaited return to Gusii’s Stadium has been stalked with controversy though.
First, the FKF League and Competitions Committee had ruled that Tore Bobe play their next five home matches behind closed doors as punishment for the alleged misconduct of their fans during their Round 3 match against Ulinzi Stars at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
However, Shabana had the decision suspended after appealing that FKF ruling at the Sports Disputes Tribunal, paving the way for the club to host their Round 4 match against Posta Rangers in front of their legion of ardent fans but that did not mark an end to the drama.
ALSO READ: FKF Electoral Board announce official roadmap and dates for FKF elections
On matchday, with minutes to kick off, the match officials were nowhere to be seen, leaving the fans who had filled the stadium disappointed at being denied an opportunity to witness a remarkable moment in the history of Shabana FC.
In a press statement responding to the situation at the Gusii Stadium, FKF expressed regret at the match failing to kick off, promised a thorough investigation into the matter and declared that the match will be rescheduled.
In Saturday’s other matches, Sofapaka woes deepened after they lost 1-0 at home to Bandari in a 1 pm kickoff played at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos. The result left Sofapaka rooted at the bottom of the log table with only one point after four matches.
At the Utalii Grounds, a late goal by Talanta denied Bidco United victory as both teams settled for a 1-1 draw.
ALSO READ: SportPesa launch revolutionary Tujiamini Initiative to nurture talent
Tujiamini is an initiative that seeks to provide a platform, including up to 30M shillings in funding, for individual, team sports and various talent, in a year-long campaign that will go around the country in a move aimed at evoking the sense of pride in Kenya’s sports and talent ecosystem.
Applicants are urged to submit their applications through www.tujiamini.co.ke