Gor Mahia spank AFC Leopards to claim Mashemeji derby bragging rights

© Gor Mahia

FKFPL Gor Mahia spank AFC Leopards to claim Mashemeji derby bragging rights

Festus Chuma 18:59 - 07.10.2023

Gor Mahia triumphs over AFC Leopards in a thrilling derby, maintaining an unbeaten record; McKinstry breaks the jinx with a win.

Gor Mahia asserted their dominance over archrivals AFC Leopards beating them 2-0  in a riveting Football Kenya Federation Premier League clash held at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

In the 94th edition of Kenya's most captivating football spectacle, the two titans clashed in the fierce encounter on a charged Saturday.

Thousands of fervent fans flocked to witness the showdown, having secured their spots through e-ticketing, with security personnel ensuring a smooth and secure environment for the highly anticipated match.

Gor Mahia dominated the match from the start as they searched for an early goal which would have unsettled the Ingwe defense.

In the sixth minute, AFC Leopards goalkeeper  Levis Opiyo was forced into an early save from Austin Odhiambo’s strike.

The hosts broke down the right-hand side and  Cliff Nyakeya played a dangerous cross into the K’Ogalo  box, and Kelvin Omondi  produced a good save to deny the young full-back at the near-post.

AFC Leopards were struggling to contain the visitors  and Benson Omalla, who was looking lively down the left-hand side for Gor, forced Opiyo into a brilliant save with a curling effort.

Gor Mahia then claimed the ascendancy in the 25th minute with Benson Omalla sending a looping pass past Ingwe goalkeeper Levis Opiyo.

With the half-time break fast approaching, Brian Yakhama broke down the right-hand side after Gor Mahia defender Emery Bayisenge  had miscued his header. But Miheso's attempted cross to Victor Otieno was easily claimed by Owino.

It should have been 2-0 to Gor Mahia at the stroke of half-time when Omala was sent through on goal, but Opiyo made a fantastic save from a one-on-one situation to deny the attacker. 

AFC Leopards dominated possession after the restart, but they were wasteful in front of goal as Boniface Kweyu failed to control the ball well after being sent through on goal.

Nyakeya fired over the crossbar from inside the Gor Mahia box after being sent up by Musa Oundo as pressure mounted on the K’Ogalo defence.

Coach Jonathan McKinstry 's side continued to attack after taking the lead and Omalla grabbed his second goal to make it 2-0 to Gor Mahia  in the 57th minute with Sibomana providing the assist.

Tom Juma  then reacted with Otieno and Musa Oundo making way for Yassin Sije and Jaffari Owiti as the hosts went in search of an equalizer.

Omondi was simply unbeatable on the day as he produced three brilliant saves in quick succession to deny Yakhama and Odhimabo.

Gor Mahia  then sat back in the closing stages of the match and in the end, they emerged 2-0 winners over AFC Leopards on the day.

How they lined up:

AFC Leopards:  Levis Opiyo, Randi Bakari,Vincent Mahiga, Emmanuel Lwangu, Musa Oundo, Cliff Nyakeya, Boniface Kweyu, Brian Yakhama, Victor Otieno, Clifton Miheso

Gor Mahia: Kevin Omondi, Rooney Onyango, Godfrey Ochieng, Emery Bayisenge, Kenedy Onyango, Juma Simiyu, Rodgers Mugisha, Lawrence Ochieng, Benson Ochieng, Austin Odhiambo, Patrick Sibomana