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Five-star Gor rip Thika apart to go top

Jacob Icia By Jacob Icia Published on: April 22, 2018 06:19 (EAT)

Gor Mahia FC put added gloss to a blissful four days when they tore apart Thika United 5-2 at the Kenyatta Stadium to go top of the the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) standings.

The domestic giants showed little sign of hangovers from a week in which they became the first Kenyan club to reach the group stages of a CAF competition as they turned on style to blow Thika away.

Ivorian Ephrem Guikan and substitutes Samuel Onyango, Francis Kahata and Meddie Kagere were on target for the 16-time champions, scoring one each with Thika keeper helping them add one.

Eugine Mukangula and Makasaida Mata reduced the humiliation with their one each.

Despite resting most   first team players for the clash, Dylan Kerr’s charges showed just why they are shining beyond the Kenyan boarders with classy display especially in the second stanza.

Goalkeeper Shaban Odhoji, defender Charles Momanyi, wing-back Innocent Wafula, midfielders Cercidy Okeyo, Guikan, Kevin Omondi and Raphael Asudi were all started, the later making his first start in the league at Gor.

He had well calculated his move, as lethal goal-poacher Kagere and creative attackers Kahata and Onyango were on the standby in case Thika fired, and eventually their services paid off.
 But before they settled, Thika were terrorizing their defense, and a Mukangala struck the opener in the fifth, burying home past an exposed Odhoji.
Thika had more half opportunities before that were causing anxiety among the Gor fans who came in fairly large numbers, before the first real attempt through captain Harun Shakava who hit the woodwork restored some confidence. A sign of resurgence it was.
 Experienced Jacques Tuyisenge then did the donkey work before setting up Guikan to restore parity with the break fast approaching, ensuring a 50-50 opportunity for either sides for the second half.
Mata delivered the second for Thika with a genius free-kick from the outside the box at the hour mark, but the Nicholas Muyioti coached men had a shortlived win as their custodian Allan Owiny scored in his own net in an attempt to tip the ball over the bar.
Kerr then brought on his beasts of the day, Kahata, Onyango and later on Kagere.
All were on the scored sheet within the last quarter hour, killing Thika’s resilience to seal a meticulous five-goal win.
Gor Mahia coach Dylan Kerr made changes in the second half, bringing on Samuel Onyango and Francis Kahata and the game changed immediately, with Gor on the ascendancy and Onyango slotted home the third to put Kogalo in firm control.

K’Ogalo now regain their top position in the league, with three matches in hand while Thika languish in relegation zone at 17th, boasting of only nine points.

The win also, to some extent, wiped the green army tears after losing three of their members in a tragic road carnage at Mlolongo along Nairobi-Mombasa road headiding to the match.

Tags:

Gor Mahia FC KPL Thika United

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