Thika upset Gor as Zoo deny Bandari

Relegation-threatened side Thika United claimed a shock 1-0 over Gor Mahia FC to revive their Kenyan Premier League (KPL) survival hopes on Sunday at the Thika Sub-county Stadium.

Striker Michael Odongo scored a second half winner to hand the bottom-table club a first win in 13 matches against the champions whose build-up to the clash had been marred by a player go-slow over unpaid salaries.

At the Kericho Green Stadium, midfielder Mike Madoya scored a stoppage time equalizer as Zoo FC fought back to hold Bandari FC 1-1 with each side missing chances to nick a winner deep into extra time.

Mwana Yema had put the visitors ahead with a fine finish when he tucked home Abdalla Hassan’s sweet cross and hit the post with a late effort with the score tied at 1-1.

Ulinzi Stars had earlier won 1-0 at the same venue to add to Wazito FC’s miseries with Enos Ochieng’s fifth minute strike handing Dunstan Nyaudo’s charges their third straight win.

At the Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega Homeboyz left it late to defeat Nzoia Sugar 3-2 with Keiphas Mutuu, Masakudi Mata and Moses Mudavai playing each striking once for the hosts in the five-goal thriller.

Collins Wakhungu and Festus Okiring netted a goal apiece each for the visitors who came from behind on each ocassion but ultimately fell short to remain dangerously close to the relegation area.

Despite the win, Homeboyz head coach Pual Nkata was unimpressed by the manner in which they achieved it as he admitted there had been an air of vulnerability about their performance.

“I told my boys to push hard in second half but that did not happen. I think we are going to focus more on striking partern even if it means changing the formation,” Nkata told Citizen Digital.

His counterpart Nicholas Muyoti said they were poor on possession and felt his midfielders should have done better.