Kenyan Premier League champions-elect Gor Mahia piled misery on relegation threatened Kakamega Homeboyz by beating the visitors 1-0 at Kasarani on Sunday.
Jeremiah Wanjala (left) of Muhoroni Youth and Kevin Omondi of KCB vie for the ball at their Kenya Premier League match, at Muhoroni Complex
Edwin Lavatsa, who was voted MVP, scored a controversial off-side goal in the 38th minute after a pass from Antony Akumu.
Gor dominated possession from the onset and could have won the game by a big margin, but Homeboyz goalkeeper Collins Oduor pulled off a string of fine saves to keep his side in the game.
In the second half, the 15th placed Homeboyz came-back a more determined side, but they were restricted by Gor’s superb defensive display.
Keiphas Baraza wasted several scoring opportunities with his best chance being in the 53rd minute, tapping wide with only goalkeeper Ivo Mapunda to beat.
Speaking after the match, a furious Homeboyz coach Edward Manoah blamed poor officiating for the defeat.
“As you can see the officiating was dubious. The referee gifted them the win by allowing the offside goal. It’s saddening,’’ said Manoah.
Winning ways
At the Thika Municipal Stadium Thika United returned to its winning ways with a 2 – 0 result against Nairobi City Stars.
Sammy Mejja gave United an early lead in the 22nd minute then Ezekiel Odera scored the second in the 53th minute.
At the Chemilil Sports Complex, relegation threatened Mathare United rallied from behind to hold favourites Chemelil Sugar to a 1-1 draw, and to ease the pressure of edging out the 2008 premier champions from the league.
Chemelil Sugar’s striker Gerson Likonoh put the miller’s in the lead in the 35th minute blasting a curving left flank free-kick past Mathare custodian Peter Odhiambo.
Edwin Ombasa equalised for Mathare in the 70th minute capitalising on a Chemelil Sugar defence lapse.
Elsewhere, Muhoroni Youth and KCB settled for a goalless draw as both teams shared spoils at Muhoroni Complex Sunday.
Brian Osumba almost scored twice in the 17th and 57th minute but his efforts were thwarted by the Muhoroni defense of Paul Opon and Yussuf Mohamed who ensured that Clifford Allwanga and Elvis Ayany never passed their wall block.
Muhoroni Youth lost afterdominating the match. KCB was defending, only coming to the front occasionally.
In Naivasha, Karuturi Sports held visiting Tusker to a barren draw at Old Trafford Stadium (Karuturi Stadium).
The culprits being Jesse Were and Fredrick Ochieng after being put through by Luke Ochieng on Tusker’s side while Karuturi wasted their chances via Mohammed Mwachiponi and Ahmed Umar.
The second half was dominated by the home team and the obvious opportunity came when Joseph Kiplagat blasted the ball wide with only Tusker goalkeeper Samuel Odhiambo to beat in the 47th minute.
By RODGERS ESHITEMI and PHILIP ORWA, The Standard
