Gor Mahia inch closer to top spot after rain-delayed victory over KCB

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Gor Mahia inch closer to top spot after rain-delayed victory over KCB

Mark Kinyanjui 13:30 - 07.04.2025

Austine Odhiambo's freekick the difference as Gor Mahia edge closer to returning to the summit of the FKF Premier League table.

Austine Odhiambo's first-half brilliance proved the difference as Gor Mahia earned a gritty 1-0 victory over KCB in a rescheduled FKF Premier League fixture at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Monday morning.

Originally slated for Sunday, the clash had to be postponed by a day due to heavy rains that left the pitch waterlogged and unplayable.

The result sees Gor climb to 46 points, just three shy of table-toppers Kenya Police, with a game in hand to their advantage.

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Gor Mahia head coach Sinisa Mihic made five changes to the side that drew 0-0 with AFC Leopards a week ago, with Kennedy Onyango, Sylvester Owino, Bryson Wangai, Samuel Kapen and  Samuel Onyango getting the nod to start.

KCB boss Patrick Odhiambo brought in Francis Kahiro and Kevin Okumu for this game.

The Bankers  nearly grabbed an early lead in the fourth minute when Francis Kahiro found himself unmarked in the box, only to waste the opportunity by heading over the crossbar.

Moments later, Gor Mahia were dealt a blow as Ken Onyango collided with goalkeeper Gad Mathews, prompting a lengthy stoppage. Onyango was eventually substituted, with Geoffrey Ochieng taking his place.

Samuel Onyango had a golden chance to put Gor ahead in the 20th minute, but his effort inside the box lacked the needed composure.

The game began to heat up as tempers flared and crunching tackles flew in from both camps. However, the referee kept his cards pocketed, preferring verbal warnings to maintain control.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 33rd minute. After a string of fouls from KCB, Gor Mahia were awarded a free-kick. Odhiambo stepped up, and with a clever dummy by Joshua Onyango, curled his effort past Bonphas Munyasa to hand K’Ogalo a deserved lead.

KCB rang the changes at halftime, introducing Dennis Maruti and Derrick Otanga in place of Mathias Isogol and Stephen Etyang to inject more urgency into their attacking play.

The substitutions momentarily lifted the Bankers, who started the second half with more intent, delivering a series of dangerous balls into the Gor box. But the game’s rhythm was continuously broken by frequent fouls, frustrating both sides.

Gor nearly doubled their lead when Samuel Onyango found himself one-on-one, but Munyasa came to KCB’s rescue with a fine stop.

At the other end, Gad Mathews made two crucial saves in quick succession—first denying Kahiro from close range in the 61st minute, then reacting sharply to stop James Kinyanjui’s free-kick two minutes later.

Despite late pressure from KCB, Gor Mahia held their ground to bag all three points.

Both sides will now shift their focus to the FKF Cup Round of 16 this weekend. Gor Mahia travel to Mombasa to take on Bandari FC, while KCB will battle Nairobi United in Dandora.

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