Gor Mahia have been declared the 2022-2023 Football Kenya Federation Premier League champions as well after coming from a goal down to floor Nairobi City Stars 4-1 at the Kasarani Stadium. The hard-fought win that came courtesy of of goals from Benson Omala, Peter Lwasa, Austin Odhiambo and Alpha Onyango confirmed the status of the club as the greatest in the country as it stretched the league titles to 20. 🟢 | WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS FT: Gor Mahia 4 – 1 City….and ladies and gentlemen, we are the 2022/23 FKF Premier League Champions 🏆 to mark our 20th league title. 💪Congratulations lads and thanks to all fans for the support 👏👏👏#Sirkal | #GorFansClub pic.twitter.com/xEYjotRit1— GOR MAHIA FC (@OfficialGMFC) June 25, 2023 Victory, in front of the of the thousands of the Green Army comes as a relief for coach Johnathan McKinstry as this is the first title since taking over the reigns last year. Before centre referee Yasin Badir could blast the first whistle, a moment to celebrate veteran midfielder Anthony Kimani Njenga alias Muki who hanged his boots after the game was observed. Muki who played a total of 284 games for City Stars also featured for Bandari, the 2009 league winners Sofapaka as well as the national team, Harambee Stars. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7336862##As soon as the proceedings got underway, it was clear that Gor Mahia wanted the three points more as they didn’t even allow City the breathing space. City Stars custodian Stephen Njung’e denied Gor twice inside the first quarter of the game, putting his palms on the line to stop Austin Odhiambo and Peter Lwasa from tasting the back of his net from close range. The burly Kennedy Onyango used his experience to the advantage of City Stars as he made tens of interceptions as well as aerial clearances to bar Gor from taking an early lead. Similarly, defensive midfielder Clifford Ouma insulated the City Stars backline with zeal, recovering the ball and initiating moves aimed at driving the ball to the Gor half that had little activity in first half. City Stars had the first sniff at goal in the 33rd minute through Andrew Kisilu who failed to tap in a sumptuous cross from Kelvin Etemesi from close range. A counterattack through the left channel caught the Gor backline with fewer numbers with a cross coming off the feet of Etemesi to Kisilu but the latter who, might have been distracted by the retreating bodies tapped the ball wide. Gor continued asking all sorts of questions in the City Stars area but there was no room for error from the rear men who worked overtime to keep the scores even at half time. Second half A clearance off the line by City Stars right back Edwin Buliba seconds after restart was a sign of goals to come. Buliba, stretched to deny Austin Odhiambo from poking a loose ball into the empty net as Njung’e was on the floor having saved an initial attempt. Two minutes later, Samuel Kapen beat a poorly mounted offside trap to give City Stars the lead much to the disappointment of thousands of Gor fans. Kapen ran behind the shoulders of the wall, rounding off the on rushing Gad Mathews and subsequently, tapped the ball into an empty net. The lead was however, shortlived as Benson Omala headed home the equalizer for Gor from close range, taking his tally in the campaign to 26 goals. Individual brilliance from Gor’s creative midfielder Peter Lwasa earned the team the second goal as the Ugandan cut in from the left and curled the ball using his left foot to the top corner to give the team the second goal. Several fresh legs were thrown in by either side in a bid to influence the result in the favor of their respective teams. The introduction of Patrick Kaddu by the Gor bench appeared to be the best change made as the Ugandan forward unleashed his experience by dictating play. Gor, got the first hand on the league title in the 80th minute as Austin Odhiambo curled a beauty of a freekick from outside the box to stretch the lead further for K’Ogalo. Alpha Onyango netted the fourth goal for Gor deep into stoppage time.STARTING XI.Nairobi City StarsStephen Njung’e, Edwin Buliba, Dennis Wanjala, Timothy Muganda, Kennedy Onyango, Vincent Owino, Clifford Ouma (James Mazembe 71), Andrew Kisilu(Levis Okello 71)Samuel Kapen, Kelvin Etemesi, Dennis Oalo (Newton Ochieng 58)Unused substitutes Jacob Osano, Elvis Ochoro, Rowland Makati, Calvins Masawa, Anthony Kimani, Mohamed Ali, Rooney KolaGor Mahia Gad Mathews, Philemon Otieno, Geoffrey Onyango, Dennis Ng’ang’a, Emery Bayisenge, Ernest Wendo, Shafik Kagimu (Alpha Onyango 54), Boniface Omondi, Benson Ochieng, Austin Odhiambo, Peter Lwasa (Patrick Kaddu 68)Unused substitutes Caleb Otieno, Paul Ochuoga, Sylvester Owino, Joshua Onyango, Sydney Ochieng, George Odhiambo, John Macharia.
