Gor Mahia Rule Mashemeji Derby To Put One Hand On SPL Title

19th May 2019 - by Louis Kalinga

The league leaders who are now assured of an 18th domestic league title, have won seven of the last eight contests with the other ending in draw

Gor Mahia FC players celebrate Jacques Tuyisenge's goal in the Mashemeji Derby against AFC Leopards SC at the Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, May 20, 2019. PHOTO/SPN

SUMMARY

SportPesa Premier League (SPL) champions Gor Mahia FC made a huge statement to their eternal rivals with a resounding 3-1 win at the Kasarani Stadium on Sunday afternoon
The highly anticipated derby lived up to its expectations and was thrilling all through, giving the thousands of fans in attendance a reason to keep their voices heard throughout the 87th Mashemeji Derby
The noise in the Kenyan football cathedral hit its peak for the day four minutes later as Tuyisenge made amends by getting on the end of a Kipkirui effort that came off the crossbar to make it 3-0

NAIROBI, Kenya - SportPesa Premier League (SPL) champions Gor Mahia FC made a huge statement to their eternal rivals with a resounding 3-1 win at the Kasarani Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Hassan Oktay's side came into the game knowing a victory would leave them needing only a point in their game against lowly Vihiga United FC on Wednesday to clinch a record extending 18th domestic league title.

The result helped them maintain an eight-point lead at the SPL summit ahead of second place Bandari FC, who thrashed Zoo FC 3-0 earlier in the day.

The highly anticipated derby lived up to its expectations and was thrilling all through, giving the thousands of fans in attendance a reason to keep their voices heard throughout the 87th Mashemeji Derby.

Former Zoo FC striker Nicholas Kipkirui scored midway through the first half to give Gor the lead and one hand on the SPL trophy.

The dazzling forward got his second on the hour mark before he turned provider for his strike partner Jacques Tuyisenge to make it 3-0.

Leopards forward Vincent Oburu got one back for the home side in the last five minutes of the game but it was too little too late for the wounded Leopards.

The thousands of Gor supporters in the stands rose to their feet as soon as the second minute when Francis Kahata and Jacques Tuyisenge exchanged great passes but the latter's cross went inches over the bar.

Kipkirui squandered a great opportunity to put his side ahead after a lapse of concentration from the Leopards defence a minute later but his effort did little to trouble Ezekiel Owade.

Paul Were then went on a speedy run down the flank and found fellow Kenyan international Whyvonne Isuza who failed to connect well with his shot.

In the 15th minute, Kenneth Muguna tried to find Kipkirui with a lovely cross but Owade came out to gather and clear the danger for Leopards.

Gor continued to dominate possession, looking like the more likely to break the deadlock in the cagey Mashemeji encounter.

Leopards came close in the 20th from a Were free kick but goalkeeper Fredrick Odhiambo did well to push it out for a corner.

Two minutes later, Kasarani erupted as Kipkirui pounced on a spill by Owade following a Tuyisenge header to tap in and give the champions a well deserved 1-0 lead.

Tuyisenge almost doubled the visitors advantage in the 25th after a great run but his attempt at goal was punched out for Gor's second corner of the game.

The Rwandese forward was in the thick of things again in the 32nd but he made the wrong decision and chose to shoot instead of giving Kahata the ball, his eventual attempt rolling harmlessly wide of the goal.

It seemed not to be Tuyisenge's day as six minutes later he was the culprit of another wasted chance because he failed to pick out a pass and instead choosing to go it alone and missing the target.

Brian Marita, who had been quiet the entire game, came alive and skipped past Philemon Otieno before unleashing a fierce right footed shot but Odhiambo made a great save.

Referee blew for halftime with Gor leading by a goal to nil.

Gor began the second half just as they had left the first, in control and in search for a second goal which would all but secure all three points for the champions.

On the hour mark, it was that man Kipkirui again who rose to the occasion after a lovely through ball from Muguna and the striker smacked it into the roof of the net for a comfortable 2-0 lead.

The noise in the Kenyan football cathedral hit its peak for the day four minutes later as Tuyisenge made amends by getting on the end of a Kipkirui effort that came off the crossbar to make it 3-0.

Leopards fans began to cause havoc and the game had to be stopped for almost 10 minutes as the police officers and stewards tried to restore the peace.

The game finally proceeded and Andre Cassa Mbungo made his first change of the game, taking off captain for the day David Ochieng for Saad Mugabe.

Oktay responded with a change of his own, taking off Ernest Wendo and bringing on Lawrence Juma in his place.

Oburu made the most of a loose back pass from Joash Onyango in the 86th to pull one back for the home team.

Tatuwe Wayyeka came on in place of Isaac Kipyegon as they switched to an attacking formation for the dying minutes of the game.

After a lengthy injury time, the referee blew for full time giving Gor all three points and one hand on a third successive SPL title.