Squad depth gives Coach cheer as Gor go top

Gor Mahia Head Coach Jose ‘Ze Maria’ Ferreira said he was impressed by the depth in his squad as the domestic giants charged back to the summit of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) table on Wednesday.

Gor were 2-0 winners over Chemelil Sugar at the Thika Sub-County Stadium with goals from Timothy Otieno and Kenneth Muguna ensuring they caught up with Posta Rangers who were held to one-all draw by Muhoroni Youth in the day’s early kick-off.

The two sides are joint top on 22 points but Ze Maria’s men boast a superior goal difference and while the Rangers are yet to taste defeat this season, a spate of draws in those 10 matches could prevent them from building a solid title bid.

“I have 30 players and each of them has a role to play. Today every player gave their best and we took our chances. It was a blow losing Timothy in the first half but we still managed to add another goal. The result is satisfying because it takes us back to the top. Fighting continues, eyes on the title,” Ze Maria said after the match.

Rangers seemed to be on the verge of their first defeat when hosts Muhoroni had taken an early lead through Maxwell Onyango but Gearson Likono came off the bench to rescue a point and keep their remarkable ubeaten streak rolling.

At the Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa, Bandari FC rallied from a goal down to defeat Nzoia Sugar 2-1. Boniface Omondi had put the visitors in front at the half-hour mark before second half goals from Lugogo Wilberforce completed the turnaround.

Champions Tusker FC racked up their fourth win on the bounce at the Kericho Green Stadium, edging past a resurgent Zoo FC 2-0 to move fourth on the KPL log.

George Mandela and Humphrey Mieno both struck in the first half for Tusker and the side that looked incapable of defending their own title is now slowly engaging its top gear.

In other matches played across the country, Sony Sugar left it late to win 1-0 at home to AFC Leopards while Sofapaka FC suffered home defeat by a similar scoreline in the hands of Ulinzi Stars.

Eston Omingo scored the only goal as Kakamega Homeboyz condemned Western Stima to their fourth defeat in five matches.

-Gor early pressure-

In Thika, K’Ogalo pressed Chemelil into their own half right from the first whistle with Godfrey Walusimbi testing goalkeeper Jairus Adira twice inside the opening seven minutes before shooting against the side-netting two minutes later.

Otieno, who was on loan at Rangers last season, then opened the scoring with a brave finish that saw him collide with Adira. The collision left him momentarily dazed and had to be stretchered off but was back on moments later.

Medie Kagere was picked out by Wellington Ochieng unmarked in the box, only to head the ball outside with Adira beaten. He had a chance to make amends for his missed effort but Adira denied him on the second attempt.

The Sugar Millers’ first attempt came at the half hour mark through a corner, but Victor Majid fouled Gor’s custodian Boniface Oluoch and the promising build up aborted.

The earlier knock on Otieno forced his substitution in the 35th complaining of knee pain, Ferreira introducing Oliver Maloba in his place.

On the 39th, Muguna reacted quickest to turn in a rebound after Adira had blocked Innocent Wafula’s shot as the hosts went 2-0 up.

At the restart, Chemelil introduced Laban Gambareko and Benjamin Oketch for Maurice Wandera and James Omino respectively, as Gor brought on Philemon Otieno for Ernest Wendo.

The changes stabilized Chemelil’s midfield, and increased chances of pulling one back with Mustafa Adebayo and Gambareko giving Oluoch some work to do.

Realizing his charges were losing the midfield battle, Ferreira brought Francis Kahata on with 10 minutes left and there be no further significant attempts.