In the scorching Saturday sun at Camp Toyoyo, record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia emerged 2-1 winners in a friendly match played against FKF Premier League opponents Mathare United.With the league on a two-week international break, both sides looked to use the game to sharpen their batallion in the new season that just commenced. Gor came into the match on the back of an impressive 2-1 opening day win against last season’s runners up to the title KCB.Mathare on the other hand were hunting for some positives as they started on the wrong footing once again with Bandari putting three past them.Barely a week after completing his switch from bitter rivals AFC Leopards, right back Yusuf Mainge was slotted into the eleven who started into the game. There was also a place for Malian goalkeeper Adama Keita and the Democratic Republic of Congo forward Sando Sando who led the line for Kogalo. Former Kariobangi Sharks midfielder Peter Oudu also grabbed one of the midfield spots alongside Ernest Wendo and Sidney Wahongo.Gor Mahia 11 facing Mathare in a friendly matchMalian goalkeeper graces goal as DRC fowards starts up top.Mainge makes start after switch from IngweAdama, Mainge, Shakava, Joachim, Ng’ang’a, Boniface, Wendo, Sidney, Oudu, Macharia, Sando Sando— Ochi (@soo_ochieng) October 2, 2021 It is Gor who came off the blocks the quickest as they looked determined to assert their dominance. In what has become their new style of play under English man Mark Harrison, Gor settled into their tiki-taka composed play early on as they bossed possession with Mathare looking like a side content to just sit back and keep the record Kenyan champions out.Despite dominating play and pinging the ball nicely on the artificial turf, Gor failed to make the most of their possession when it mattered with the creative department failing to carve out chances on goal.Midway through the first half, Mathare’s blunder enabled a toothless Gor to edge in front as Dennis Ng’ang’a’s set-piece delivery from the area was turned in by a Mathare defender.Second half Gor thought they had the lead but just one minute later, a Mathare side that had not posed any threat in the opening twenty-five minutes had other ideas. Straight from the restart after conceding, Klinsman Omulanga found the back of the net with an absolute thunderbolt from outside the area that left Keita with no chance in the Gor goal to ensure the two sides got into the halftime break level 1-1.Just as the first half, Gor bossed proceedings but there was nothing to show for it. While they dominated, Mathare dug in, unperturbed without the ball and looking comfortable.However with a minute left on the clock, substitute Alpha Onyango, in a moment of brilliance, scored the winner for Gor with a sweet curving ball from outside the box. That strike proved to be the worthy match-winning moment as Gor walked away 2-1 winners.Mainge has been really really good in this game. Has looked aware and tactically correct at all times with his movement fowards.Boniface Omondi has also been impressive— Ochi (@soo_ochieng) October 2, 2021 AFC Leopards 1-1 Makadara YouthIn an earlier match played on the same place, AFC Leopards were held to a 1-1 draw by Makadara Youth. Peter Thiong’o scored the goal for Ingwe.Ingwe head coach Patrick Aussems who was not around for the season-opening fixture was on the touchline in the game.Ingwe head coach jets back into the country
