Gor Mahia fans celebrate after gunning down Ulinzi Stars at City Stadium
K’Ogalo maintained their unbeaten record after goals from Meddie Kagere and Michael Olunga ensured that they cruised past Ulinzi Stars at City
Gor Mahia stretched their unbeaten run to nine matches after they gunned down Ulinzi Stars 2-0 in a Kenyan Premier League match played at City Stadium.
Goals by Rwandese striker Meddie Kagere and Michael Olunga were enough to give K’Ogalo maximum points. The match looked headed for a barren first half until Kagere slotted home the opener and he will have to thank Olunga for creating the chance for him.
The move started with Khalid Aucho, who headed in the direction of Ulinzi’s goal. James Saruni in goal looked like he had dealt with it gave up the ball following pressure from Olunga and the ball fell at the feet of Kagere, who had the easiest of tasks to tap it home and with it broke the deadlock at the half time break.
The soldiers started well and from kick-off, had a corner after Oscar Wamalwa’s shot was kept out by Goddfrey Walusimbi. Wamalwa fell awkwardly from the tackle and had to be treated before returning to the pitch. Then in the 13th Olunga won a ball on his weaker foot and the shot went wide. As action swung from side to side, tension was palpable, physical and frantic.
Oscar Wamalwa was cautioned for handling the ball and going down on Gor Mahia captain Musa Mohammed, who had to be treated for the tackle. The same fate also befell Khalid Aucho after he rolled over Brian Birgen, who had to seek for treatment.
As the pressure build up, Gor Mahia made a great build up which ended up in James Saruni’s hands. Gor Mahia goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch nearly cost his team in the 35th minute hesitating to take a goal-kick and was lucky not to beaten by Wamalwa as he stretched quickly to stop the danger.
Ulinzi were soon in trouble when Anthony Mureithi headed toward his goalkeeper and Saruni had his hand on the ball but a lurking Olunga put pressure on the Ulinzi custodian, who dropped the ball for Kagere to score on stroke of half time.
Ulinzi Stars made the first substitution early in the second half resting John Makwatta for Evans Amuoka as they searched for that elusive equalizer. Gor Mahia rested Ali Abondo for Innocent Wafula and the latter set up Olunga to score the second goal of the match and with it ensured that the Kenyan Premier League champions stretched their lead at the top of the log.