K'Ogalo's agony

By FP TEAM

Congo United beat Gor Mahia on a day Sofapaka ran riot over Western Stima in Premier League

Fifteen goals were scored in the Kenyan Premier League on a high scoring day that saw title chasers Gor Mahia suffer a set back after going down 2-1 to relegation- threatened Congo United in a thrilling encounter at the City Stadium.

It was the league debutants’ first away win in top-flight football and they will certainly be partying before they embark on their trip back to Mombasa.

Congo United middfielder Rama Salim challenges Gor’s Anthony Akumu at City Stadium, yesterday. INSET: Gor coach Zedekiah Otieno. [PHOTO: STAFFORD ONDEGO/STANDARD]

In other matches, 2009 champions Sofapaka showed that they still had what it take to challenge for the local title with a resounding 5-0 thrashing of Western Stima in an early kick-off at the City Stadium, while Chemelil Sugar whippedRangers 3-0 in Chemelil and bottom placed Nairobi City Stars revived their survival campaign with a deserved 3-1 win over KCB at the Hope Centre.

At City Stadium, Sofapaka FC were on a free goal scoring spree against Stima who crumbled after conceding the first goal.

BEGAN ROUT

Humprey Mieno began the rout in the 25th minute with a long-range shot to take his league tally to six goals, before John Baraza converted a spot kick after Anthony Kimani had been brought down inside the box. Bob Mugalia went close at the stroke of half time, but Stima were lucky to be trailing only 2-0 at the breather.

After the break Sofapaka, Mieno added his second of the day in the 60th minute and minutes later, Kimani who was voted the best midfielder last season, made it 4-0 with a long range shot.

Mieno was clearly the man of the match turned provider for the fifth goal when he set up Congolese import Heritier Luvualu from the left wing to seal the comprehensive win.

In the other match, ‘Green Army’ fears were confirmed when Gor suffered their fourth loss of the season that would certainly jeopardise their title campaign.

K’Ogalo were hoping to break the Congo jinx, but it seem they will have to wait longer for that to happen as Mwachikoli Mohammed and Ramadhan Salim goals in the 27th and 85th minutes respectively earned the Coastal lads a deserved 2-1 win over Gor at the dreaded City Stadium. Eric Masika scored Gor’s lone goal in a tensed match.

PARTISAN CROWD

In Chemelil, 10-man Chemelil Sugar crushed Rangers 3-0 in a pulsating match at Chemelil Complex. Playing before a huge and partisan crowd of home fans, Chemelil Sugar took the lead in the 38th minute through Gerson Likonoh’s free-kick following a foul play against teammate Tony Opondo outside the box area. Likono unleashed a swerving free-kick beating Rangers’s custodian Victor Omondi, whose attempts to parry the ball away came a cropper.

Rangers dominated the KPL charts during the first leg, fell further behind in the 51st minute through Daniel Mutai.

Second leg sensation Victor Ochieng wrapped up the scores for Chemelil and improved his goal tally to 7, and three behind Moses Arita, as he kept up the chase for the shooters’ honours.

Speaking to FeverPich after the match, Chemelilk coach Edward Manoah said he was happy with the result and attributed it to hardwork by team players.

" The players’ hard work has paid dividends. The players were also dedicating the win to the sponsoring firm Chemelil Sugar Company’s turn-aroung strategy and entire company management and employees.

SHARED SPOILS

Players believe the result will equally motivate company employees to work hard, Manoah said.

In Mombasa, AFC Leopards shared the spoils with Bandari after they battled for a scoreless draw at Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa.

However, Leopards should blame themselves for not having grabbed the three maximum points as they had the lion’s share in the match. Bandari’s draw and City Stars’ win means the two sides are level on 18 points with Congo United a point behind.