- Gor Mahia edge Mathare United 2-1 to stretch SportPesa League lead to 9 points.
- The Round 23 fixture was played on Saturday February 28 at the Nyayo National Stadium.
League leaders Gor Mahia continued their relentless march toward the SportPesa League title with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Mathare United at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday evening.
After playing to a goalless draw in the first half, it was Ebenezer Assifuah off the bench who broke the deadlock and scored the opener before Dennis Okoth equalised.
Assifuah was later brought down in the box, with Enock Morrison stepping up to convert the penalty in stoppage time and seal all three points for K’Ogalo.
ALSO READ: Gor Mahia edge struggling Sofapaka to open a points gap in the title race against AFC Leopards
The hosts made significant rotations to their starting eleven, with Lewis Bandi handed his first start for the club at Rightback while Levin Joseph and Ebenezer Adukwaw were drafted into the lineup to replace Bryton Onyona and Ebenezer Assifuah respectively.
The John Kamau led Mathare made four changes on their part to the team that lost to Shabana in the midweek clash.
Elly Asieche started upfront in place Dennis Okoth, Isaac Omweri was in for Michael Oduor as Fidel Otieno returned from injury to start at Right back in the absence of Sammy Imbuye who was stretchered off last time out.
Gor Mahia edge Mathare United 2-1
The first real chance came in the third minute,a half clearance from Fidel Otieno found Jackson Dwang who unleashed ferocious shot that hit the side netting.
Mathare responded almost immediately through Isaac Omweri who bullied Levin Joseph off the ball but missed from close range.
In the tenth minute pacy winger Shariff Musa left his marker but failed to convert hitting the woodwork with only the keeper to beat.
Just before the half hour mark, Enock Morrison attempted to replicate his long range goal against KCB striking from outside the area with the ball going just wide.
ALSO READ: 4 Gor Mahia, 3 Mathare United players feature in SportPesa League Round 5 Team of the Week
At the halftime break the scores remained goalless but K’Ogalo head coach Charles Akonnor made a triple substitution Lewis Bandi, Levin Joseph and Ebenezer Adu-kwaw paved way for Paul Ochuoga, Bryton Onyona and Ebenezer Assifuah.
Assifuah repaid the faith in the 67th minute as Frank Odhiambo won the ball played it to Alpha Onyango who pinned a through pass to Assifuah with the Ghanaian burying it.
The lead would last fifteen minutes, former Gor Mahia man Musa Masika played a a clever ball to Kiprotich who delivered a powerful cross into the area. Gad Mathews punched the ball but it fell in the path of Okoth who levelled the scores.
With seconds to the 90th minute,a defensive lapse from Mathare saw Goalkeeper Kevin Ouru give a way a penalty after fouling Assifuah. Morrison stepped up and calmly slotted home to hand Gor their Seventh consecutive win.
Gor Mahia will now play away to Tusker on Thursday at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Gor Mahia vs Mathare United SportPesa League Round 23 lineups
- Gor Mahia: Gad Mathews,Lewis Bandi, Levin Joseph,Frank Odhiambo, Sylvester Owino, Enock Morrison, Alpha Onyango,Dwang Jackson, Ebenezer Adukwaw, Sharif Musa, Samuel Kapen.
- Mathare United: Kevin Ouru, Fidel Otieno,Benson Shikutwa,Ian Omondi,Francis Kayugi,Brian Ochieng’,Brian Ouru,Musa Masika,Isaac Omweri, Harrison Amalemba ,Elly Asieche