Austine Odhiambo’s brilliant first-half free-kick was all Gor Mahia needed to secure a hard-fought 1-0 win over KCB FC in an intense FKF Premier League clash held at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Monday morning.The match, initially scheduled for Sunday, 6 April, was pushed to Monday due to heavy rains that rendered the pitch unplayable.##NAJAVA_MECA_8831572##KCB came close to taking the lead as early as the fourth minute when Francis Kahiro found himself unmarked in the box, but he squandered the chance, heading over the bar.Shortly after that miss, Gor Mahia were forced into an early substitution following a collision between defender Ken Onyango and goalkeeper Gad Mathews. Onyango received lengthy medical attention before being replaced by Geoffrey Ochieng.Gor had an opportunity to break the deadlock in the 20th minute, but Samuel Onyango failed to convert a golden chance inside the area.Shabana shatters week-old gate collections record in home tie against BandariAs the match wore on, tempers flared and tackles flew in from both sides, with the referee opting to keep his cards in his pocket, issuing only verbal warnings despite the rising intensity.The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute. Gor Mahia punished KCB for their persistent fouls when Austin Odhiambo’s free kick via Joshua Onyango’s dummy went past goalkeeper Bonphas Munyasa to make it 1-0.Title race heats up as Ndayiragije terms draw against City Stars wake-up call for PoliceAt halftime, KCB made two substitutions—bringing on Dennis Maruti and Derrick Otanga for Mathias Isogol and Stephen Etyang—as they looked to attack more directly by delivering crosses into the Gor box. The changes seemed to spark life into the Bankers, who looked more threatening in the early stages of the second half.However, the game’s rhythm was frequently disrupted by persistent fouls from both sides, keeping the referee busy throughout.Samuel Onyango had a chance to double Gor’s advantage, but Munyasa produced a fine save to deny the veteran forward.Gor Mahia keen on banking three points in Monday clash against KCBGor Mahia’s goalkeeper, Mathews, was called into action in the 61st and 63rd minutes, making crucial saves to deny Kahiro from close range and James Kinyanjui from a free-kick as KCB pushed hard for an equalizer.Shabana hammer Bandari as Tusker blow chance to go topBoth sides had a few more chances in the closing stages, but Gor Mahia held firm to claim all three points.The win takes Gor Mahia’s tally to 46 points, just three behind league leaders Kenya Police, with a game in hand.Next up, both teams shift their attention to the Mozzart Bet Cup Round of 16 this coming Saturday. KCB will face Nairobi United in Dandora, while Gor Mahia travel to Mombasa to take on Bandari FC.
