Gor Mahia off to a flying start

Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia began their quest for the elusive Caf-Champions League on a high note, beating Leanos Vegetarianos of Equatorial Guinea 2-0 at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Saturday afternoon to take the first leg advantage of the preliminary round.

Kevin ‘Ade’ Omondi announced his return with a composed finish in the 19th minute after picking a cutting pass from Meddie Kagere, while Ephrem Guikan confirmed the win in the 60th minute to hand K’Ogalo a roaring start.

Ade should have made it two moments later only to be hacked down as he prepared to pull the trigger inside the area. Humprey Mieno stepped up to take the spot kick but his effort was thwarted by the opposing custodian.

The visitors were seeing less of the ball with Gor camping in their third in search of the two-goal cushion.

Dylan Kerr’s men carried the narrow advantage into the breather and the coach had all the right to be furious thanks to the flurry of his side’s finishing.

After the breather, Kerr withdrew George Odhiambo and brought in Ephrem Guikan and the substitution paid off almost instantly as the Ivorian found the net from outside the area with only his first touch to open his account.

Vegetarianos got a breakaway on the right but Wellington Ochieng was on hand to thwart the attack and tee up Mieno.

The midfielder lifted it into the path of Guikan who did well to hold off his marker but shot it straight at keeper Manuel Pasunga who punched it out.

Francis Kahata’s resultant corner kick was met by Kagere who failed to get the right connection on it and collided with Pasunga who had flown off his line to push the ball away.

Kerr then brought on Samuel Onyango, replacing a visibly tired George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo to utilise the pace and trickery of the former Ulinzi Stars attacker.

Onyango’s nearly grabbed an assist in his first involvement when his low cross found Guikan inside the six-yard area but the Ivorian’s poor first touch let him down.

Kagere who endured an unusually dry afternoon got the chance to enter the scoresheet when Kahata picked him out with a well-measured cross but his header from point-blank range flew inches wide

In the local league matches, Elly Asieche’s goal secured Sofapaka a 1-0 win over Kakamega Homeboyz at the Mumias Complex, while Bandari and Chemelil Sugar shared the spoils in a barren draw at the Mbaraki Sports Club.

Summarised scores

Nakumatt FC 3-3 Thika United

Bandari 0-0 Chemelil Sugar (Mbaraki Sports Club)

Homeboyz  1-0 Sofapaka(Mumias Complex )

Gor Mahia 2-0 Leanos Vegetarianos(Machakos)