Kagere cuts Nzoia adrift as Gor build momentum

League leaders Gor Mahia came unscathed at the Mumias Complex when a Meddie Kagere clinical finish soured Nzoia Sugar FC in a tightly contested Kenyan Premier League match.

With that match kicking off simultaneously with the match between Posta Rangers and Nakumatt, Gor and Posta were in an arm wrestling match, tied at the top on points but separated by goal difference.

In Mumias, a ground that has been kind to Gor over the years, the league leaders were quickest off the blocks, pinning Nzoia in their own half as coach Ze Maria once again stuck to his very effective 1-3-5-1-1 formation that has Timothy Otieno at the top assisted by Meddie Kagere.

Ironically it was the support striker Meddie Kagere who slit open the Nzoia defence in the 14th minute to send the dominant Green Army into wild celebrations.

The goal was a beauty. Timothy Otieno had slipped in a through ball to Kagere who rounded off the goal keeper and a couple of defenders before walking the ball into an empty net.

Stung by the goal, Nzoia pushed forward, but their attacks were broken down by the dirty jobs man, Ernest Wendo in the heart of the Gor midfield.

Nzoia were to be rewarded for their push in the 30th minute, earning a penalty. With the Mumias complex partisan crowd dead quiet, Boniface Oluoch guessed right, diving to his left to thwart an otherwise feeble effort by Lawrence Juma.

Three minutes later, Otieno found himself one on one with the keeper, but his split second hesitation allowed the keeper to save the effort.

With their tails up, Gor dictated the pace, and Meddie Kagere again found himself facing the keeper, his rasping shot sailing over the bar.

This now opened up the match and Elius Rupia found himself in the Gor box for only the second time. He too, facing Boniface Oluoch sky rocketed his shot as Gor Maintained the 1-0 lead.

With a minute to play in the first half, Boniface Omondi’s goal bound shot was cleared off the line by Gor captain Musa Mohammed as the referee blew the whistle to end the first half.

If the first half was entertaining, then the second half was a theater of comedy. Masita Masuta who was kept quiet in the first half came alive for Nzioa Sugar.

His first foray into the box set him on collision with Boniface Oluch and he was penalized in the 51st minute.

He was at it again in the 54th minute, this time beating the Gor off side trap to face the keeper, but again he fluffed the chance, sending the ball into the stands.

It was all Nzoia Sugar now as they pilled the pressure on Gor. Peter gin was next to sneak behind the Gor defence, but Musa Mohammed recovered in time to clear the danger.

Coach Ze Maria moved swiftly to stem the tide, bringing in speedy Innocent Wafula for Karim Nzigiyimana and Joash Onyango for George Odhiambo in an effort to lock the game.

Nzoia Sugar also brought in Edgar Nzano for Hillary Wandera, his first effort winning a free kick off Harun Shakava in the 76th minute.

Eight minutes later, the pressure was too much on Gor and captain Musa Mohammed handled just outside the box with Nzoia Sugar frantically appealing for a penalty.

On the stands, Gor fans were feeling the pressure too, hurling words the referee for the free kick.

The scuffles on the pitch saw Musa Mohammed booked.

Gor were happy to sit back and soak the pressure from Nzoia who were now frustrated and tried long range shots to no avail. In the end, a well-deserved and hard earned 1-0 win for the K’Ogalo.

“I’m very pleased with the result. We played well and maintained the intensity for 90 minutes despite playing another tough match in midweek. My players were hungry for the ball and fought gallantly against a very good and tough opponent,” said Gor coach Ze Maria.

On his part, Nzoia coach Bernard Mwalala was crest fallen.

“The better side lost the match. We didn’t deserve the lose because we dominated Gor. the referee was also not at his best because he denied us a couple of fouls when my players were roughed up by Gor. But I’m happy with my players, we have to move on and prepare for the next match against Muhoroni Youth,” he underscored.

Gor fans were quick to remind Nzoia Sugar that the internet never forgets. They quoted a tweet by Nzoia Sugar FC official handle last December upon promotion to the KPL that said “Welcome to Sudi stadium Gor, you’ll get plenty of sugar but no points.”

Gor arrived in Kisumu on match day in the morning and drove to Mumias. As a sign of good omen, play maker Kenneth Muguna posted on Facebook “Match Day! Mumias is our Mecca. Wishing all pilgrims a safe journey.”

Despite playing his first season at Gor, he knows the Muslim dominated town of Mumias has always been a good hunting ground for Gor who go two points clear at the top of the Kenyan Premier League.