Zoo FC and AFC Leopards posted identical 2-1 wins over Thika United and Ulinzi Stars as Gor Mahia went back to the top of the log with a hard fought win over Kariobangi Sharks in some of the Round 4 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) matches played in different venues on Sunday 25th February.
Mathare United 3-1 Sofapaka
Mathare United eased past Sofapaka, beating them 3-1 in an early kick off match played at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.
Sofapaka could have taken the lead in the 14th minute after they won a freekick just outside the box – David Owino fouling Willis Ouma but Elli Asieche blasted the resultant freekick wide. Mathare United got the opening goal just minutes later, Francis Omondi scoring from the spot after Michael Oduor fouled Edward Seda in the box.
Chrispin Oduor doubled the lead in the 28th minute, sending in a volley from almost his own half after intercepting a back pass from Willis Ouma intended for the keeper, Mathius Kigonya. Kasumba could have pulled one back for Batato ba Mungu in the 37th minute but he blasted his free header wide. They however got one two minutes later, Kigonya send Robert Mboya the wrong way from the spot after Johnstone Omurwa handled the ball in the box.
Second half
Sofapaka brought in Kepha Aswani for Ezekiel Okare after the breather in an obvious attempt to boost their frontline but it is Mathare who continued to threat. Brian Nyakan was particularly impressive; his hard shot from inside the box hitting the upright in the 49th minute. Seda made it 3-1 in the 55th minute, sending in a volley past Kigonya after going past Willis Ouma who was having a torrid time on the left flank.
Kariobangi Sharks 1-2 Gor Mahia
Gor Mahia were made to sweat for the three points by a determined Kariobangi Sharks in an entertaining match played at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.
Gor could have opened the scoring as early as in the fifth minute but Sharks custodian John Oyemba did well to deny Meddie Kagere from close range. Sammy Onyango got the first one for the Green Army, drilling in past Oyemba after a good run on the right flank.
Bolton Omwenga’s equalized for Sharks at the half hours’ mark; Bonface Oluoch howler allowing his otherwise feeble freekick to go in. Sammy Onyango was having a good game and he could have grabbed a brace in the 39th minute but Oyemba again did well to parry away his hard shot back to safety. Gor continued to push for a goal and Guikan’s header in the 43rd minute hit the bar with Oyemba well beaten. Sharks exhibited patience in their build up play and this troubled Gor. Patillah Omotto dribbled past two defenders but his hard shot hit the bar just before the breather.
Second half
Gor made a double change few minutes after the second half; Francis Kahata coming in place of Boniface Omondi while Kevin Ade Omondi was introduced in place of Sammy Onyango. Sharks brought in youngster Sidney Simale in place Ebrimma Sanneh and Manoah Francis for Duke Abuya. Sharks did well to withhold the pressure but just a slight lapse in concentration cost them as Guikan tapped in the winner off a Meddie Kagere pass with a few minutes left to the final whistle, handing in Gor Mahia the three crucial goals.
Other results
Zoo FC 2-1 Thika United
AFC Leopards 2-1 Ulinzi Stars
