Gor open four-point gap after Afriyie late show

Francis Afriyie struck in stoppage time to hand Gor Mahia FC a 1-0 victory over Kariobangi Sharks FC and steered the champions four points clear on top of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) standings on Sunday.

The Ghanaian striker reacted fastest to tuck home from a rebound after Kennedy Otieno’s effort had ricocheted off the post, ensuring kept their perfect start to the season with a fifth win in as many matches.

A failed clearance by Wllington Ochieng’ was gathered by Duke Abuya in midfield and the forward attempted to slip Yidah Sven in with a lobbed pass but Geoffrey Ochieng read his intention and quickly got in the way of it to clear the danger.

Gor made a purposeful response with Boniface Omondi playing Clifton Miheso in behind the defence after he had wriggled beyond his marker. Miheso brought it down well but goalkeeper John Oyemba did well to get off his lines and thwart the attacker.

Oyemba spilled his save into the path of Samuel Onyango who failed to the get the right composure, firing a rushed shot into the side-netting although the home defence had already flooded the goal-mouth to cover their absent custodian.

A clever ball played over the top by Daniel Sakari beat both Charles Momanyi and Joachim Oluoch and freed Eric Kapaito but the striker could not sort out his feet in time and chance for a one-on-one with goalkeeper David Mapigano fizzled away.

Onyango should have fired Gor ahead but the attacker could only bundle into Oyemba after mistiming Ochieng’s cross into the box.

Tobias Otieno’s klong ball was collected by Gnomine Yike who cut it back for Miheso and the winger played Onyango in but he could not finish, hitting straight into Oyemba’s arms as they held on for a 0-0 score at the break.

Gor picked up from where they left with substitute Dickson Ambundo threading a dangerous ball into the box but no one arrived to get on the end of it with the ball begging for a tap-in.

Ambundo wasted a chance in the box and then tried to set up Afriyie with three minutes. The Ghanaian did well to create space for a shot but could he could not find the target.

Afriyie and Gor were not to be denied moments later, burying a rebound at the death after Otieno’s fierce attempt came off the post.