Tuyisenge fires Gor back on top of KPL

Gor Mahia restored their one-point lead at the summit of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) with a 1-0 win over Nakumatt FC at the Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday.

Posta Rangers had temporarily gone top after registering a similar result against champions Tusker FC in the earlier fixture played at the same venue when they kicked off the KPL mid-week fixtures.

Posta had a goal ruled out for offiside, a man sent off and a goal that counted in a bizarre five-minute blitz late on to mark a dramatic end to their clash against Tusker.

Dennis Mukaisi was shown the marching orders for his wild protests at the center referee for cancelling Luke Ochieng’s effort but Jockins Atudo rose to become an unlikely hero when he smashed home from a free-kick in the 82nd minute.

The result meant Gor stepped on the turf with the pressure of returning top on their shoulders but Jacques Tuyisenge offloaded most of it after only 11 minutes when he stroked home from George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo’s cross.

At the Kericho Green Stadium, Zoo FC defeated Kariobangi Sharks 3-2 to move 12th on the log with Sofapaka FC edging a similar five-goal thriller away at Muhoroni Youth.

At the Ruaraka Stadium, an Eric Ambunya own goal in the fourth minute gifted Mathare United its first win in over 10 matches with the 1-0 upset denying Kakamega Homeboyz the chance to climb third.

Bandari FC versus Sony Sugar FC (0-0) and Western Stima versus AFC Leopards (1-1) produced the only stalemates of the day but focus was at Nyayo where three of the top four teams were in action.

Odhiambo who is enjoying a spectacular resurgence at Gor was yet again in inspiring form and was the standout performer for the side whose dominance over Nakumatt hardly reflected on the scoreline.

The pacey winger who was on target in their 2-0 win over the same opponents last Sunday needed only 11 minutes to deliver the goods for Head Coach Dylan Kerr.

From his cross, Tuyisenge took one touch to control and another to slot to the keeper’s left for the opener.

The visitors maintained their fast tempo and should have gone 2-0 down but striker Meddie Kagere could only hit the side-netting after rushing to meet Karim Nzigiyimana’s cross from the right flank.

The impressive Odhiambo saw his snap-shot tipped over but the resultant corner came to nothing as the proceedings remained at 1-0 at the interval.

Gor were still the stronger side at the restart and thrice went close through Kagere, Odhiambo and Timothy Otieno -who replaced Tuyisenge.

Tuyisenge’s strike remained the difference after the final whistle.