Gor clinch 21st PL title, Bandari held by Sofapaka

Gor Mahia sealed their record 21st Kenyan Premier League Sunday evening after thrashing visitors struggling Muhoroni Youth 3-0 at the SportPesa Arena in Murang’a.

Benson Omalla was on target, stretching his season tally to 16, before Boniface Omondi and Austin Odhiambo added one each to seal the sweet win for K’Ogalo.

The win means the Jonathan McKinstry-coached men have also sealed their CAF Champions League slot with three matches to go, with 67 points already accrued.

Gor’s closest challengers Tusker FC have 56, thus cannot catch up with them whichever the result they register in their remaining duels.

Muhoroni on the other hand sunk back to number 17 on the log, with only 28 points, one behind another relegation-threatened side Shabana FC.

In other results on Sunday, Bidco United edged AFC Leopards 1-0, while bottom-placed Nzoia Sugar managed a scoreless draw against Nairobi City Stars.

Hoping to salvage

Elsewhere, Bandari FC were held to two all draw by 2009 champions Sofapaka FC at their new home Showground - Ukunda, Kwale County.

Sunday Ikekhai and Darius Msagha – who previously featured for Bandari before switching allegiance, scored in the first half while Juma Izzadin and Benjamin Nyamawi scored for The Dockers.

Bandari got their first shot on target in 15th minute, but a calm goalkeeper Evans Omondi denied before Francis Kahiro missed narrowly on the other end, his header flying just inches outside the post.

At the half-hour mark, defender Ikekhai gave Sofapaka the lead after Bandari goalkeeper Bryne Omondi punched Msagha’s freekick unto his path.

Seven minutes later, Msagha doubled Sofapaka’s lead after connecting Jacob Onyango cross, and the hosts had to go for the break two goas down.

 
Bandari made two instant second half substitutions, introducing Izzadin and Abdallah Hassan hoping to salvage at least a point and calm their home fans.

Indeed, it worked.

The youngster Izzadin curled a 30-yard shot to the top corner after receiving a sumptuous pass from Amai Atariza, pulling one back which appeared to rejuvenate the John Baraza-coached side.

With just 10 minutes to fulltime, substitute Hassan missed an open chance to equalize for Bandari after being set to a one-on-one situation with Sofapaka custodian, by another youngster William Gitama.

But a hungry Nyamawi would give Bandari the equalizer just four minutes to time, from a splitter pass by Fidel Origa.

This is Bandari’s third draw at home, and they remain winless since leaving their home original home ground Mbaraki Stadium which is currently under renovation.

In his post match remarks, Sofapaka head coach Zedekiah Otieno blamed their poor performance on poor pitch.

"We have played pretty well, we lead 2-0 by the end of first half and I’m annoyed because Bandari equalised simply because of the poor pitch. It’s unplayable, it's not a football pitch to host any KPL league match," he observed.

On his side, Baraza said they had hopes of getting maximum points, which never was.

"Our poor first half really brought our morale down, and you know when you are at home and you find yourself two goals down, the pressure mounts high. I’m however happy with how we responded in the second half," he said.