Gor survive Stima scare to maintain lead

Gor Mahia survived a late Western Stima scare at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Saturday to record a 3-2 win over the visitors to maintain their lead atop the Kenyan Premier League to 51 points.

K’Ogalo had raced to a 3-0 lead courtesy of goals from Boniface Omondi, skipper Kenenth Muguna and winger Nicholas Kipkirui but were forced to defend their back-line as Stima hit back twice to make for a tense end to the duel.

Omondi  opened the score sheet in the second minute before Muguna netted the second firing past Stima goalkeeper Njau John in the 11th minute. Three minutes later, Kipkirui made it 3-0 for the Green Army, a goal that left Steven Polack’s charges at the helm.

However former Gor Mahia midfielder Baron Oketch pulled one back from the spot after Gor Mahia were penalized after Ochieng Omalla was brought down. Thereafter, in the second half, Omalla reduced the deficit to one with the visitors chasing for a win in the 76th minute when he latched onto a rebound from a denied effort by Boke Lucas but Pollack’s held on for the win.

Western Stima will next battle Posta Rangers who are 10th on the log, four points shy of the power men’s 33 points.

Gor, will on the other hand, tackle AFC leopards in a much anticipated “Mashemeji derby” slated for next weekend but which now hangs in the balance due to lack of  match venue as Nyayo National Stadium is closed for renovations.

Kasarani will however not be available after Sports Kenya banned the club from playing there in November following damage to the venue facility attributed to Ingwe fans sometime last year.