Nineteen-time Kenyan champions Gor Mahia extended their more than five year unbeaten streak over fierce rivals AFC Leopards as they handed the noisy neighbors their first loss of the season in a luckluster 0-1 Mashemeji Derby Derby win played at Kasarani main Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.In what was the 90th edition of the biggest rivalry in the country, a first half strike from returning old boy Boniface Omondi is all that made the difference as K’Ogalo maintained their 100% start to the 2021/2022 Football Kenya Federation Premier League season.In the match that turned out to be a tale of two halves, Gor head coach Mark Harrison made wholesome changes to his squad as Malian goalkeeper Adama Keita made his debut in goal alongside former Ingwe right back Yusuf Mainge who also started.The game however got off to a slow start with both sides focusing on build up play without a decisive edge in the final third. It took upto twenty five minutes for the game to produce something meaningful and when it did, it ended up in the back of Ingwe’s net as dimunitive winger Omondi capitalized on a defensive and goalkeeping error to hand Gor the lead.The record Kenyan champions had a chance to make it two through on form Benson Omalla but the young striker was unlucky to see his strike just hit the upright and back into play only for it to be cleared out of danger.Comfortable with the slim lead, Gor retreated to their passing game as they headed into the break with the advantage.FT: AFC Leopards 0 – 1 Gor Mahia Another win over Leopards to stretch our dominance over them to 31 wins in all 90 league meetings. 💪💪#Sirkal | #Betsafe pic.twitter.com/jJr0VwlAOO— GOR MAHIA FC (@OfficialGMFC) October 20, 2021 In the second half, Leopards came out a different side with the young squad forcing Gor into a rethink if they thought they would have it any easy.Led by a brilliant Saad Musa who was exceptional in the middle of the park, Ingwe took the game to Gor’s doorstep as they bossed proceedings completely.However, despite making forays foward, what lacked for the twelve champions was the cutting edge in front of goal as they failed to trouble Adama in the Gor goal. With less than ten minutes left to go, the misfoiring in front of goal would have been a differebt story for them but quick thinking from fast rising youngster Frank Odhiambo compounded Ingwe’s troubles as he made a game winning tackle when he blocked a shot destined for the back of the net with a well timed sliding challenge to deny any chance of an equalizer.That proved as close as Ingwe came to causing trouble as Gor resolutely held to see out the game for their second win in two games this season and their thirty first derby win overally.
