Football

Gor Mahia march on as four-tanstic Makwatta sinks Sofapaka

Gor Mahia players celebrate in a past match © Courtesy

By Michael Kirwa | Sunday, May 12, 2024

Two more matches will be played this afternoon to mark the end of FKFPL round 29

Gor Mahia continue to edge closer to a record 21st league title following a 1-0 win over Shabana at the Mamboleo Stadium in Kisumu on Saturday.

K'Ogalo got their winner through Benson Omalla in the 36th minute.

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The victory stretches their winning streak to four matches and takes them to 63 points, 12 more than second-placed Kenya Police FC who host Nairobi City Stars at the Police Sacco Stadium on Sunday.

Gor Mahia now need only seven points from their remaining five matches to clinch the title.

The loss derailed Shabana's attempts of pulling further away from the relegation zone but with Sofapaka and Muhoroni Youth failing to win, the Glamour Boys can enjoy temporary comfort in 15th place where they lie with 28 points.

At the Dandora Stadium, Kariobangi Sharks striker John Makwatta proved his pedigree as the best striker in the land with four goals against beleaguered Sofapaka as Kariobangi Sharks registered a 5-2 victory over Batoto ba Mungu.

Makwata scored twice in both halves with his first half brace sandwiching a 28th-minute Steve Mbulere goal. Makwatta had opened the scoring in the 1st minute before getting his second goal in the 31st minute. Sofapaka, who trailed 3-1 at the halftime break after Jacobs Onyango pulled one back in the 41st minute.

Darius Msagha added a second for the 2009 champions in the 62nd minute but any hopes of Sofapaka staging a comeback were quashed by Makwatta completing his quadruple in the 63rd and 85th minutes.

The win, however massive, saw Kariobangi Sharks remain 10th on the standings but with their points increased to 40. Sofapaka, on the other hand, continue to lie precariously in 16th spot with 28 points.

In an earlier match played at the same venue, Bidco United and Kakamega Homeboyz played out to a 2-2 draw in an entertaining clash that saw Bidco United come from behind twice to force the stalemate.

Nicholas Kipkirui had given the away side the lead in the 8th minute before Jacob Onyango ensured the two teams went to halftime level on scores with a 42nd minute equaliser.

Ambrose Sifuna restored Abana Abeingo's in the 53rd minute but Douglas Mokaya drew the oil producers level in the 65th minute.

The result saw both teams remaining level on 41 points but Homeboyz continue to ranked higher in 8th place on goal difference.

The day's other three matches also ended in a stalemate with Bandari and Posta Rangers battling to a goalless draw in Mombasa. The result left the dockers 5th with 46 points and the mailmen 6th with 43 points.

Muhoroni Youth also held Ulinzi Stars to a 0-0 draw at the Ulinzi Sports Complex. The stalemate saw Muhoroni Youth close the gap between them and Sofapaka to just a point as their points increased to 27 while remaining in 17th place. Ulinzi Stars remain 13th with 32 points.

At the Sudi Stadium in Bungoma, Nzoia Sugar ended a four-match losing streak with a 1-1 draw against KCB. Obed Khakhina gave the sugarmen the lead in thr 15th minute but their lead lasted only eight minutes as Henry Onyango equalised for the bankers in the 23rd minute. The result leaves Nzoia Sugar on 18th place with 18 points and KCB 11th with 36 points.

Sunday fixtures

Kenya Police vs Nairobi City Stars - Police Sacco Stadium, 3PM

FC Talanta vs AFC Leopards - Dandora Stadium, 3PM