It was not pretty, but it was professional. Gor Mahia edged KCB 1-0 in a tightly contested FKF Premier League match on Sunday afternoon, a result that pushed them to third on the table and reaffirmed their growing confidence under coach Charles Akonnor.
The match hinged on a single moment of brilliance — a slick move down the right that ended with Felix Oluoch tapping home in the 62nd minute after Ebenezer Adukwah left two defenders for dead.
“The boys were patient,” Akonnor said after the match. “We trusted our play, created the right spaces, and when the chance came, we finished it. That’s how football should be played.”
Tactical Patience Pays Off
For most of the first half, Gor Mahia moved the ball with purpose but found little room against a disciplined KCB defence anchored by Clyde Senaji. The hosts nearly broke through in the 15th minute when a curling corner caused chaos in the KCB box, only for the bankers to scramble clear.
Their rhythm was briefly disrupted when Alpha Onyango was stretchered off injured in the 17th minute. His replacement, Fidel Origa, slotted in neatly, restoring balance in midfield.
The turning point came half an hour in. Adukwah struck the crossbar with a thunderous effort — a sign of Gor’s growing threat. “We knew if we kept pressing, we’d open them up,” said Akonnor. “It was just a matter of time.”
The Defining Moment
When it finally came, the goal felt inevitable. Adukwah’s quick feet left KCB’s backline flat-footed before he squared the ball for Oluoch, who finished calmly to ignite the Dandora crowd.
KCB coach Robert Matano admitted his side lost focus at a crucial moment. “We had our structure,” he said. “But we switched off, and against a team like Gor, that’s enough to cost you.”
Gor nearly doubled their lead ten minutes from time when captain Austin Odhiambo was brought down in the box. But his penalty soared over the bar — a rare miss that left fans groaning. “He’s our leader,” Akonnor said in his defence. “He’ll score the next one. That’s football.”
Tight Finish, Strong Statement
Despite the missed chance, Gor controlled the closing stages. Goalkeeper Byrne Omondi commanded his box with authority, snuffing out KCB’s long-ball attempts. At the back, Michael Kibwage and Sylvester Owino stayed firm, frustrating KCB’s lone striker Boniface Oluoch.
Akonnor’s substitutions were measured — keeping energy high and structure intact. “It’s about depth,” he said. “We’re building a team where anyone can step in. The season’s long, and we’ll need every player.”
Matano, though disappointed, remained optimistic. “We’ll fix it,” he said. “We’ve been in this position before. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
Across the League
Elsewhere, Mara Sugar stunned Ulinzi Stars 2-1 at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, while Kenya Police FC held on with ten men to beat APS Bomet 1-0 in Awendo. At Kasarani Annexe, Kariobangi Sharks defeated Mathare United 2-1 to continue their fine form.
With three teams — Gor Mahia, KCB, and Police FC — now level on six points, the early race for the title looks set for drama.
As Akonnor put it, “It’s only the beginning. We’re building chemistry and belief. But what matters most is consistency.”
About the Author
