Gor Mahia back to winning ways with resounding victory over Zoo Kericho
Gor Mahia warmed up for Sunday’s Caf Africa Champions League clash against Nigeria’s Lobi Stars with a resounding 4-0 thrashing a hapless Zoo Kericho in a one-sided SportPesa Premier League on Wednesday.
Crucially, this result attained at a yawning Kasarani stadium in Nairobi was the Kenyan champions’ first league win of the season, coming three days after a 2-1 loss to high-flying Bandari at the Coast.
The result also marked new coach Hassan Oktay’s first win at K’Ogalo’s helm in his third attempt.
“I am happy because my boys have shown they can play very well and score goals which is what football is all about. I know we can do more we will continue working hard so that we bring the best out of these quality group of players,” said Oktay.
GHUIKAN BRACE
Ivorian Ephrem Ghuikan, who is surprisingly unavailable to play against the Nigerians at the weekend as he was not registered to play in continental matches, helped himself to a brace in this match in the opening half.
Kenya international Samuel Onyango and new signing Erisa Ssekisambu also scored a goal each.
The lively Guikhan scored the first goal of the game in the opening minute and then had to wait for 15-minutes for his next which came from the penalty spot.
The spot kick was awarded after Francis Mustafa initially found the on form Onyango with a slide rule pass inside the danger zone.
But just as he was about to pull the trigger, he was hacked down by Sindano Sabiri’s trailing leg.
PENALTY GOAL
Guikhan stepped up and easily converted the resultant penalty past Ugandan Martin Elungat who was guarding the visitors’ goalmouth.
Showing a rich vein of form which could perhaps be of interest to Harambee Stars coach Sebastian Migne, Onyango turned from provider to scorer six minutes to the break.
The former Ulinzi Stars player rushed to meet a 50-50 ball before Elungat and expertly chipped it into the far right corner.
By then Gor Mahia were cruising with arguably the best performance of the season, even as Zoo Kericho – which lost experienced duo Micheal Madoya and Nicholas Kipkurui to Tusker and K’Ogalo earlier this month – struggling to create chances.
Ssekisambu then scored past his compatriot to seal Zoo’s fate.