Following the conclusion of match day 17 in the SportPesa League, Gor Mahia reclaim top spot as they seek to win a record-extending title.
Gor were comfortable 3-0 winners over Mara Sugar courtesy of goals from their top scorer Felix Oluoch, Shariff Musa and Samuel Kappen. Their second successive victory helped them reclaim top spot with 33 points.
The record Kenyan league winners are level on points with their eternal rivals AFC Leopards who left it late, scoring two stoppage time goals to seal a 2-1 comeback victory against newcomers APS Bomet. A third win on the bounce for Ingwe.
Raboama Koloti and Ronald Bebeto scored the crucial goals for Leopards. This morale-boosting win comes after the Fred Ambani-coached side crushed Tusker FC 4-0 in another statement victory for the club.
Leopards have not won the league since 1998 but continue to state their intent on breaking that duck. It has been a while since they have been on such a brilliant run of form, hoping they can keep it up as we approach the business end of the season.
ALSO READ: Muyoti at held at home on Kenya Police debut by former employers Nairobi United
The steady rise of Murang’a Seal has been a phenomenon to watch in recent weeks, and they bounced back from the 3-2 defeat to Gor with victory against Bidco United.
Paul Osama gave Murang’a an early lead before Collins Akite pulled one back for the visitors. Francis Imbiakha had the final say with his second goal in as many matches to give Osborne Monday’s side a fourth win in five matches.
The three points lifted Murang’a into sixth place with 24 points, just nine adrift of the top two teams. This is Murang’a’s third season in the top flight as they seek a best-ever finish for the club.
Kakamega Homeboyz were 2-0 winners against bottom club Kariobangi Sharks, with the latter still only winning two games all season. The win leaves them in third place, level on points with Shabana, who were 1-0 winners against Sofapaka.
ALSO READ: Stojanovic sacked, Nicholas Muyoti takes charge of Kenya Police FC
Tusker suffered a second straight defeat, losing 2-1 at home to Bandari. Fabian Adkiny’s goal could only act as a consolation as the brewers dropped into eighth place with 24 points.
Only one match resulted in a draw over the match day, with champions Police FC held to a 1-1 draw by Nairobi United on Monday afternoon. Police have now drawn four matches in a row, leaving them in fifth place and making their title defense campaign difficult.
Nairobi United have lost just once in their last five games and have slain KCB and Shabana during that run. They remain in seventh place with 24 points as well.
Goals
There were 18 goals scored over the eight matches played at the weekend. Compared to 17 the previous weekend and 20 in round 15, this sets a trend of an average goals expected in a SportPesa League weekend.
However, four games had over 2.5 goals scored, a notable rise from just two the previous match day.
Matches involving the top six teams, tend to have more goals than other fixtures.
Home team advantage
Bandari’s 2-1 away win was the only one on the road across the whole weekend. In match day 16, only two teams managed to get all three points away from home.
The trend of the home team avoiding defeat continues to provide a good option for punters.