- KCB vs Gor Mahia was played at Kenyatta Stadium, where Gor Mahia narrowly won 0-1 on Monday morning.
- The match was initially scheduled for Sunday, April 6, but was called off after heavy rain rendered the pitch unplayable.
- Gor Mahia is just three points behind log leaders Kenya Police and still has a game in hand.
Gor Mahia head coach Sinisa Mihic watched from the standings after being sent off as his team secured a 0-1 win over KCB on Monday morning at the Kenyatta Stadium.
The victory brought them closer to the FKFPL summit, with Austin Odhiambo’s first-half free kick reducing the points deficit to league leaders Kenya Police to just three, with a game in hand.
Originally scheduled for Sunday, April 6, the match was postponed after a heavy downpour rendered the pitch unplayable, leading to a rescheduling for the following day.
On a chilly Monday morning, just four minutes into the match, Francis Kahiro came close to giving KCB the lead. Derrick Otieno swung the ball from the right wing into the box where it fell to Kahiro’s head, but his attempt sailed over the bar.
In the same phase, Gor Mahia center-back Kennedy Onyango was forced off the field after sustaining a dangerous injury to his right knee following a collision with Gad Mathew. Geoffrey Ochieng replaced him in defense.
The game remained tight for much of the first half, with both teams struggling to break the deadlock.
However, in the 27th minute, Gor Mahia found the breakthrough.
A freekick from Austin Odhiambo, delivered from the left wing, sailed past KCB’s defense and into the back of the net, with Joshua Onyango cleverly letting the ball pass through his legs, allowing it to find the target.
KCB’s only significant attempt in the first half came from Kahiro whose shot was blocked. The Bankers were repeatedly penalized for fouls, which allowed Gor Mahia to dominate possession and they went into the break with a 0-1 lead.
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In the second half, Gor Mahia continued to press with KCB making mistakes inside the box but failing to capitalize.
Patrick Odhiambo made tactical changes, bringing on Maruti Dennis and Derrick Otanga in place of Mathias Isigol and forward Stephen Etyang to add fresh legs.
Shortly after, Gor Mahia’s coach Sinisa Mihic was shown a red card and sent off after venting his frustration over a referee’s decision.
Kahiro had a clear opportunity to equalize in the 61st minute when the ball was quickly delivered into the box. However, Gor Mahia’s goalkeeper Gad Mathews made a fantastic punch save to deny him.
A few moments later, KCB’s James Kinyanjui had another dangerous free-kick attempt, but Mathews once again came to the rescue, saving the shot and conceding a corner.
Despite KCB’s pressure, they failed to break down Gor’s defense.
Gor Mahia respondesd by making further changes, bringing on Sharrif Musa, Bonface Omondi and Ben Stanley for Samuel Onyango, Samuel Kapen and goal scorer Austin.
Even with the additional changes, Gor Mahia managed to maintain control and successfully defended against KCB’s attacks, finally securing the three points and extending their unbeaten run to 10 consecutive matches.
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KCB VS GOR Mahia starting XI
KCB: Bonphas Munyasa, Kevin Okumu, Manzur Okwaro, Francis Odour, Maurice Owino, Mathias Isigol, James Kinyanjui, Michael Mutinda (c), Francis Kahiro, Derrick Otieno, Stephen Etyang.
Gor Mahia: Gad Mathews (C), Kennedy Onyango (Geoffrey Ochieng), Sylvester Owino, Joshua Onyango, Enock Morrison, Lawrence Juma, Alpha Onyango, Samuel Kapen, Bryson Wangai, Austin Odhiambo, Samuel Onyango.