Oliech Double Steers Gor To Second, Vihiga Break Leopards Hearts
27th March 2019
Michael Oduor was on target twice for Sofapaka who whipped bottom side Mount Kenya United FC 3-1 to go top of the SportPesa Premier League
- Former Harambee Stars captain Denis ‘The Menace’ Oliech struck twice as defending champions Gor Mahia FC thrashed hosts Zoo FC 4-0 at Kericho Green Stadium to move to second place in the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) standings on Wednesday evening
It was the sixth time the two rivals were meeting. Gor have now won five of the fixtures against Zoo with the other one resulting into a draw
Sofapaka head coach John Baraza attributed the victory that saw them consolidate their lead in SPL to the necessary changes he made at half time.
KERICHO, Kenya- Former Harambee Stars captain Denis ‘The Menace’ Oliech struck twice as champions Gor Mahia FC thrashed hosts Zoo Kericho FC 4-0 at Kericho Green Stadium to move to second in the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) on Wednesday evening.
Earlier, Sofapaka FC moved to the summit of after whipping bottom-placed Mt. Kenya United FC 3-1 as hosts Vihiga United FC denied AFC Leopards SC victory at the death in a pulsating 2-2 draw.
In Kericho, midfielder Kenneth Muguna converted a free kick in the 18th minute to give the titleholders a 1-0 lead before Oliech stretched the scores to 2-0 two minutes later.
Gor added two more in the 81st and 82nd through Oliech and substitute Nicholas Kipkirui- the returning former Zoo star- to seal the win that propelled them to second on 35 points, one adrift of 2009 champions Sofapaka but with three games in hand.
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It was the sixth time the two rivals were meeting with Gor now winning five of the meetings against Zoo (16) who slumped to the red zone in 17th. The other resulted in a draw.
At the same time, Whyvonne Isuza notched a brace for visiting Leopards (20) in their 2-2 stalemate with Vihiga at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega to inch up to 13th.
Vihiga (19) are a place below and three points off the relegation zone.
Michael Oduor was on target twice for Sofapaka in their victory over free-falling Mt. Kenya in the first of the double header at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.
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Sofapaka head coach John Baraza attributed the victory that saw them maintain their lead in SPL to the changes he made at half time.
“Our position in the standings does not allow us to rest. I was actually mad with my players as they permitted our opponents to dominate the game in the opening half, this forced me to make changes and I’m glad it paid off,” Baraza underlined.
At Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa, hosts Bandari continued their slide after being stunned 2-1 by visiting Kakamega Homeboyz FC. The loss saw Bandari (33) drop to third having not won in their last four as Homeboyz (27) moved up to eighth.
SportPesa Cup and Shield champions Kariobangi Sharks FC were blown off the park by 12-time titleholders Tusker FC who thumped them 3-0 at Ruaraka Grounds in Nairobi.
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Ulinzi Stars FC piped Sony Sugar FC 2-1 at Afraha to give 2010 title-winning head coach Benjamin Nyangweso a positives start on his return to the military side this week.
Gor Mahia Starting X1: Shaban Odhoji, Wellington Ochieng, Joachim Oluoch , Geoffrey Ochieng, Charles Momanyi, Cercidy Okeyo, Samuel Onyango, Kenneth Muguna, George Odhiambo, Dennis Oliech, Erissa Ssekisambu
Subs:Peter Odhiambo, Shafik Batumbuze, Pascal Ogweno, Boniface Omondi, Erick Ombija, Lawrence Juma, Nicholas Kipkirui