Dan Sserunkuma scored a late goal to enable Gor Mahia beat Sofapaka 1-0 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Wednesday and put one hand on the 2013 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) trophy.
Sofapaka players react after losing a past Kenyan PremierLeague match. PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO
Gor could be crowned champions today if arch-rivals AFC Leopards fail to beat Karuturi Sports. Alternatively, they could wait for Sunday to pick just one point against Kakamega Homeboyz to be crowned champions. Wednesday’s win pushed Gor to 53 points and effectively locked Sofapaka out of the race whose maximum is 52 points. Leopards is the other team that could reach 53 points if they win their remaining four matches starting with Karuturi Sports today. Wednesday, Gor were very physical, especially in the opening minutes of the match and were punished for it as they conceded dangerous free kicks in their area. In the fi rst minute, James Situma sent a screamer that went just past the Sofapaka goal post.
ANOTHER FREE KICK
Then Teddy Akumu hacked John Barasa, earning Sofapaka another free kick. By the eighth minute, Sofapaka looked to have an upper hand as they were the fi rst to get a corner. Gor had a brief reprieve in the tenth minute, with Kevin Omondi’s free kick that was meant for Dan Sserunkuma failing to find its target. The clearest chance by Sofapaka did not come until the 13th minute, when Bernard Mangoli’s free kick was held by Jerim Onyango in the Gor Mahia goal but not without a struggle.
REFEREE’S BAD BOOKS
Bob Mugalia was the first player to get in the referee’s bad books when he saw yellow on the quarter-hour mark. Mugalia was yellow carded for bringing down Edwin Lavatsa. Then Joseph Wanyonyi failed to put Gor ahead in the 24th minute after being put through by Sserunkuma. As the half hour approached, the match was a balanced affair, with Sofapaka picking their third corner, as Gor had their fi rst one ending up in Duncun Ochieng’s hand from Joseph Wanyonyi. As the second half started, Sofapaka made the first substitution, bringing out Bob Mugalia for Ellie Asieche whose first touch with the ball was wasted on the Gor Mahia line. In the 65th minute, Yusuf Juma should have beaten Jerim Onyango but his long effort was well put out by the Gor goalkeeper. At this point, Gor were clearly under pressure, with the fans calling for substitution. Coach Bobby Williamson pulled out Edwin Lavatsa for Patrick Oboya and also rested Kevin Omondi for Paul Kiongera in a move that brought some life to the Gor attack.
By Gilbert Wandera, The Standard
