Gor skin poor Leopards in Mashemeji derby

Gor skin poor Leopards in Mashemeji derby

Gor Mahia FC moved to within just three points from the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) top spot with a 2-0 victory over derby rivals AFC Leopards on Saturday.

Kenneth Muguna and his midfield partner Francis Kahata scored either half of the match as Gor charged to 22 points, above Bandari FC on goal difference,  who slip to third on the KPL table.

Suddenly what appeared to be a worryingly dismal start to the new season hardly looks that way now as Gor find themselves needing to win their game in hand to topple Mathare United from the summit.

Leopards are enduring perhaps the worst run of form in the league and hardly gave Gor any real test, allowing the champions to claim their latest Mashemeji derby bragging rights with a considerable amount of ease.

Boniface Omondi (L) of Gor Mahia FC challenge Robinson Kamura of AFC Leopards SC during their Kenyan Premier League dubbed Mashemeji Derby at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi on February 09, 2019. Photo/Stafford Ondego/Sportpicha/Citizen

After starting a passing move in the midfield, Muguna raced towards goal to finish it off, placing the ball beyond goalkeeper Eric Ndayishimiye after Kahata’s delivery into a crowded six yard box had fallen kindly into his path.

The former KPL MVP nearly doubled his tally for the afternoon minutes later only to see his effort from the edge of penalty area come off the crossbar

Whyvonne Isuza headed over from a rebound six minutes to the break after Marcel Kaheza’s free-kick had brushed against the wall. Leopards threatened from another set piece at the stroke of half time with Isaac Kipyegon’s free-kick curling inches wide.

Leopards looked recharged in the second half but a dreadful misjudgment from Ndayishimiye allowed Kahata’s free-kick to drop into the back of his net after Harun Shakava had missed a headed attempt.

Gor thought they had gone 3-0 up when Jacques Tuyisenge headed in Kahata’s cross but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Gor Mahia FC fans celebrate scoring against AFC Leopards SC during their Kenyan Premier League dubbed Mashemeji Derby at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi on February 09, 2019. Photo/Stafford Ondego/Sportpicha/Citizen

Substitute Erisa Ssekisambu spurned another chance to put Gor three to the good when his heavy touch from close in allowed Ndayishimiye to collect the ball after George Odhiambo had found him with a low cross.

Starting XI

  1. Boniface Oluoch, 26. Philemon Otieno, 6.Shafik Batambuze, 12.Joash Onayngo, 18.Haron Shakava, 20.Ernest Wendo, 11.Bonface Omondi, 21. Kenneth Muguna, 7.Nicholas Kipkirui, 9. Jacques Tuyisenge, 8. Francis Kahata

Substitutes

  1. Fredrick Odhiambo, 15. Joachim Oluoch, 27.Charles Momanyi, 17.Bernard Ondiek, 25.George Odhaimbo, 23.Francis Mustapha, 22.Erisa Ssekisambu

AFC Leopards Starting XI:

Ndayishimiye Eric, Isaac Kipyegon, Dennis Sikhayi, Robinson Kamura ©, Salim Abdallah, Christopher Oruchum, Saad Musa, Whyvonne Isuzza, Marcel Kaheza, Odeny Jaffery, Wayi Yeka

Substitutes

Jairus Adira, Mainge Yusuf, Mukangula Eugene, Victor Majid, Brian Marita, Odeny Aziz, Vincent Oburu.

Tags:

AFC Leopards Kenneth Muguna GOR MAHIA Kasarani Mashemeji Derby Francis Kahata skin

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