Defending FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia moved into third place thanks to a narrow 1-0 victory over Kariobangi Sharks at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.Having rebounded from last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Kenya Police with a comfortable win over Ulinzi, K’Ogalo showed their intent on challenging for the league title as they scored early in the first half before easing out the contest to leave them just three points behind leaders KCB.Gedeon Bendeka was the man on the mark after capitalizing on a defensive mix-up from Luke Otiala and Ian Taifa to lash home a shot past visiting keeper Bernard Jairo.FULL TIME Gor Mahia FC 1-0 Kariobangi Sharks FC⚽23′ Gedeon BendekaWe win our final macth of the year #KOgalo #Sirkal #SportpesaNaGor pic.twitter.com/D3JLxnouNf— Gor Mahia FC Ke (@gormahiafcke) December 22, 2024 Ingwe batter BandariAt the same time in Dandora, AFC Leopards left it late to drown Bandari 2-0, extending their unbeaten run to five games.Following a barren draw in the first half, Leopards broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute through an impressive strike from Ronald Sichenje, before skipper Victor Omune added a second with nine minutes to go for his side’s sixth win of the season.The win moves Ingwe to fifth with 22 points, while Bandari, who lost for just their second time this season, dropped to sixth.90+4’AFC Leopards 2 Bandari FC 0⚽️ Ronald Sichenje ⚽️ Victor Omune #𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐤𝐚 | #𝐎𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 | #𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐖𝐄 pic.twitter.com/f5oPpXhDyY— AFC Leopards SC (@AFCLeopards) December 22, 2024 Sharks coach William Muluya after the game described Gor Mahia’s performance as that of “champions”, referencing how they forced his side to a mistake, ultimately using it to secure another win that keeps them in touch with the leading duo of KCB and Tusker.Shariff Musa could have got Gor going inside the first five minutes, but he failed to convert at the backpost following a long Samuel Kapen throw-in.Bendeka then thought he had opened the scoring in the 12th minute, only for center referee Phauel Ogwang to blow the whistle for a foul in the buildup.FKFPL: Ulinzi Stars end seven-game winless run with win over City StarsThe Congolese striker would however not be denied in the 24th minute when a seemingly tame bounce of the ball in the Sharks bounce was headed straight into the path of Bendeka to connect with his right-foot and into the net.Replays showed that Otiala – who headed the ball – was trying to find his teammate Taifa, who wasn’t expecting to receive.Leon Levitt Osiago, on a rare Sharks foray, shot wide in first-half stoppage time, and that was just that from their end.##NAJAVA_MECA_8586576##Whilst the visitors would take delight in controlling the game for the second half, they rarely found opportunities to threaten Kevin Omondi in the Gor Mahia goal.Their chance for an equalizer came in deep into added time, when Evans Malo missed the target, while substitute Enock Morrison had a strong header saved by Jairo.Sometimes you have to win ugly, and that was the case for Gor to end an up-and-down year.
