The Five Games That Shaped Gor Mahia's 2018/19 SPL Title Charge

NAIROBI, Kenya- Gor Mahia FC will be crowned yet again on Saturday as the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) winners at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos when they will be handed the trophy for a third season in a row.

The local glamour club secured their record-extending 18th league crown on Wednesday despite losing the lead to draw 1-1 with struggling Vihiga United FC when second-placed Bandari FC could only play to a barren draw at Mathare United FC.

It meant with two games of the season to go, Gor reached 70 points, eight clear of the Dockers who are also on course to repeat their runner-up position, needing to match of better the result of third-placed Sofapaka FC (58) to be confirmed as the bridesmaids to the SPL champions.

Saturday's coronation in Machakos that will follow the clash between the three-peat holders and another team battling to fend off being dragged to the relegation mire, Posta Rangers FC will mark the sixth occasion in the last seven seasons that Gor have secured domestic top-flight honours.

Their domination of the SPL is simply staggering considering since they broke their 18-year title drought in 2013, their worst finish has been second to 11-time winners Tusker FC in 2016 where they surrendered their crown by only four points.

At Kenyatta Stadium, Hassan Oktay and his men will be looking for the perfect backdrop to receive their trophy by completing the double over Rangers whom they edged 2-1 in the reverse fixture in January

Ahead of another title-party for the all-conquering green K'Ogalo machine, SportPesa News has a look at the five games that won Gor the coveted title in a season of mixed fortunes for the most storied football club in the country who will represent Kenya at the 2019/20 CAF Champions League.

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Gor 4 vs Zoo FC 0- December 12, 2018

The second league match of the 2018/19 season saw a bruised Gor take on Zoo, a match that saw both sides finish the game with 10 men.

Gor desperately needed to win this match and register a first win under their new manager Hassan Oktay, who was being attacked by the vicious fans following an opening day loss to Bandari at the Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa.

Oktay’s charges responded in fine style by running out emphatic 4-0 winners courtesy of an Ephrem Guikan double, a Samuel Onyango effort as well as a late Ugandan striker Erisa Ssekisambu debut goal who joined the club in the off season to replace the Meddie Kagere-shaped hole in their attack.

The victory was the tonic the champions needed to return to winning ways after a barren run that had also seen them ecclipsed 0-1 by SportPesa Shield winners Kariobangi Sharks FC in the KPL Super Cup season curtain raiser besides the dispiriting exit of two-time SPL winning coach, Briton Dylan Kerr.

Gor 0 vs Kenya Commercial Bank FC 1- January 27

Gor however, went on to endure a tough start to the concluding SPL campaign and came into this game against the newcomers KCB having already lost twice, to Bandari on opening day and to SportPesa Cup winners Sharks FC in the last game of the calendar year.

Things would only get tougher in the game that was marred by fan trouble, which could not do much to help the struggling Gor team who ended up losing the game 1-0.

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That lone Kennedy Owino first half strike definitely struck a nerve among the players, technical bench and K’Ogalo faithful who all knew that something had to give if they were to retain the title.

Following the loss, Gor went on an amazing 20-match unbeaten streak that elevated them to the top of the table with five games in hand, truly instrumental in their course to eventually winning the title.

Gor 1 vs Tusker FC 0- February 27

The game against the Brewers, the last side to dethrone them from their pedestal, was arguably Gor’s hardest fought victory throughout the entire campaign after playing much of the contest against the fellow local titans with a man short.

K'Ogalo were in high spirits and full of confidence after a comfortable 2-0 victory over Algerian outfit NA Hussein Dey in the CAF Confederation Cup and this momentum carried them to victory over a team that perhaps more than any in the SPL, seem to have the beating of the champions.

Boniface Omondi was sent off in the 26th minute, giving Tusker the numerical advantage but a resolute performance by Oktay’s team and a second half Nicholas Kipkirui goal was enough to claim a statement victory that proved Gor could win with their backs on the wall.

The crucial win saw them reduce the deficit between them and then leaders Bandari to three points, with two games in hand.

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Sony Sugar FC 2 vs Gor 3- April 3

The rivalry of Sony and K'Ogalo is one of the fiercest in the domestic calendar with the sugar millers even earning the tag of 'Gor B' and such is the passion it whips that the former's home venue of Awendo Green Stadium is not considered safe to host the fixture.

Gor came from behind twice to edge 10-man Sony 3-2 at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu to garner all three points as their march towards an unprecedented 18th league title took shape against a side their fans simply love to 'put in their place'.

Former Gor forward Enock Agwanda put the hosts ahead before Rwandese captain Jacques Tuyisenge equalized, Joshua Nyatini scored two minutes after to put Sony ahead once more.

Samuel Onyango leveled matters once more before the break and a late Kipkirui header sunk Sony to give Gor all three points as they maintained their unbeaten streak.

The level of determination and the resilience shown by Gor amidst the constant screaming from Oktay on the touchline proved that they had what it takes to edge powder keg high pressure games.

AFC Leopards SC 1 vs Gor 3- May 19

The Mashemeji Derby is the most awaited game in the SPL calendar despite Gor proving to be more superior to their arch rivals in the recent past, with the second-most titled team in the league failing to win in their last 11 outings against their bitter enemies.

This one was no different as thousands of fans thronged the MISC Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi to get a live glimpse of the spectacle.

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Leopards had not beaten Gor in a league match since 2016, when they edged them 1-0 courtesy of a Lamine Diallo goal but the fans came in huge numbers hoping for a different script on the day.

However, Gor knew what was at stake and displayed a great command of the game to shoot to a 3-0 lead from a Kipkirui brace and a Tuyisenge second half strike in what was an embarrassing whipping of their titular challengers to their majesty.

Leopards got a consolation goal through Vincent Oburu but once again the derby was one-sided and other than the sweet win against their eternal rivals, it was then that Gor knew they had one hand on the SPL trophy.