Gor Mahia moved a step closer to reclaiming the SportPesa League title after convincingly beating Murang’a SEAL 1-3 on Sunday afternoon at Nyayo National Stadium, stretching their lead in the title race back to four points against rivals AFC Leopards with two matches remaining.
The win moves the League leaders to 68 points, keeping them firmly in the driving seat for the championship and leaving them just one win away from securing the title.
For MSEAL, the home defeat leaves them frozen on 41 points, keeping them mid-table but denting their ambitions of securing a top-half finish as the season reaches its climax.
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Gor Mahia move closer to SportPesa League title
The match sparked into life in the 18th minute when Gor Mahia opened the scoring from a perfectly weighted pass by Shariff Musa, he ensuing melee found Samuel Kapen, who wasted no time dribbling past goalkeeper Boniface Ngamau to slot home the opener.
The host responded almost immediately with an attack of their own, and exactly 18 minutes later, they found the equalizer. A long ball from goalkeeper Ngamau found its way into the danger zone within seconds, where Lucas Maina flicked it on to Joe Waithira, who fired home to send the teams into the break level.
The second half proved to be a more tactical affair, but the visitors reclaimed the lead in the 52nd minute. A long throw-in by Samuel Kapen was flicked over by Frank Odhiambo and miscued by Ben Stanley Omondi, falling kindly for Shariff Musa on the right, who made no mistake in slotting home.
SEAL moved in swiftly and thought they had a second equalizer just minutes later after a wonderful, grass cutting free-kick from Waithira, but Bryne Omondi was equal to the task, pulling off a spectacular save to keep Gor ahead.
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The points were safely secured in the 78th minute when Shariff Musa turned provider. Musa ran swiftly down the right flank before delivering a pinpoint pass to substitute Ebenezer Assifuah, who fired home with clinical composure.
In a frantic final few minutes, Murang’a SEAL made one last desperate attempt to claw their way back, but the youngster-heavy frontline ran out of ideas as Gor Mahia’s experience shone through, ensuring the match ended 1-3.
The win maintains Gor Mahia’s dominance over Murang’a SEAL this season, and they will head home happier of the two teams, standing on the very cusp of a historic 22nd league title.
Starting Lineups
Murang’a SEAL: Bonface Ngamau, Victor Omulama, Dennis Munyovi, Prince Musebe, Paul Ngugi, United Telvin Maina, Washington Owen, Joe Irungu, Lucas Maina, Michael Macharia, Victor Haki.
Gor Mahia: Bryne Omondi, Paul Ochuoga, Bryton Onyona, Mike Kibwage, Frank Odhiambo, Alpha Onyango, Ben Stanley, Lawrence Juma, Shariff Musa, Patrick Essombe, Samuel Kapen.