Austin's sublime free kick leaves Tusker frothing as K’Ogalo move ten points clear

Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia once again passed the title-credential test with flying colours as they beat rivals Tusker 1-0 in a closely contested encounter at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos to open a ten-point gap at the summit of the league table.

In the match labelled as a potential title-deciding clash, both sets of players lived up to the billing as they delivered a spectacle worthy of winning a title.

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Ultimately, it was K'Ogalo who claimed all the three points through Austin Odhiambo's superbly taken free kick on the 20th minute, a goal that was enough to make the difference in the Saturday encounter.

The sweet victory also helped Gor Mahia to maintain their unbeaten run this season as they moved to twelve wins and seven draws after 19 matches played out of 34.

“The team produced such a tremendous performance today. We dominated in most parts of the game and from our analysis prior to the game, we knew we would always get our chances against Tusker.

What I am a bit frustrated about is that the scoreline did not reflect our dominance but overall, the boys have done really well to get the win because it was a big game,” K’Ogalo boss Johnathan McKinstry noted after the game.

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"It was not a bad game. We started at a slow pace and caught up very late towards the end of the first half. We did not create many chances and when we did, we were not clinical in front of goal,” Tusker head coach Rober Matano lamented.

Save for a few half chances, there was nothing notable in the opening quarter as both sides looked keen to take control of proceedings first to get a foothold in the clash.

Gor, who had gone into the match with a seven-point gap, were the quickest off the blocks as their midfield got control of possession, pinning the Brewers in their own half.

Their pressure paid off in the 20th minute when Austin made Tusker pay for handing Gor a free kick just outside the box when Ronney Onyango was fouled by Levin Joseph, the creative midfielder finding the back of the net with exquisite precision for the opener.

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That goal added even more firepower to a charged game. While Tusker wrestled to quickly get back on level terms, Gor attacked the spaces left behind to double their advantage.

Just three minutes to the half time break, the men in yellow shirts came close to finding the equalizer when Michael Oduor made a neat first-time contact after being found by Boniface Onyango'pass but Kevin Omondi in the Gor goal was well alert to the danger as he made a diving save to keep out the strike.

Just a minute later, Benson Omalla almost doubled K'Ogalo's lead but Brian Bwire ensured his side went into the break trailing by a single goal as he diverted it out for a corner.

In the second half, Christopher Ochieng almost produced some moment of magic with his weaker left foot for the second week running as his shot, despite having the beating of Bwire, just brushed off the crossbar much to the relief of Tusker.

Tusker upped the ante with a couple of changes but all their efforts proved too little too late as a resolute Gor weathered the storm to take three precious points as they completed the league double over Tusker.

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Starting XIs

Gor Mahia: Kevin Omondi (GK), Ronney Onyango, Geoffrey Ochieng, Joshua Onyango, Kennedy Onyango, Ernest Wendo, Boniface Omondi, Alpha Onyango, Benson Omalla, Austine Odhiambo, Christopher Ochieng

Tusker: Brian Bwire (GK), Daniel Sakari, Boniface Onyango, Tom Teka, Michael Kibwage, Chrispine Erambo, Michael Oduor, David Odoyo, Erick Kapaito, Fabian Adikiny, Levin Joseph