Gor, Stima, Sony win season opening matches
Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia got their title defense off to a flying start with an impressive 4-2 win over a resilient Mathare United at the Nairobi City Stadium on Saturday.
New recruits Victor Ali Abondo and Michael Olunga struck a brace each for Gor Mahia while Noah Abich likewise netted two goals for the Slum Boys; the first a penalty and the second a well taken free kick.
K’Ogalo got off the blocks with Abondo – a maligned figure at Tusker last term – scoring the first goal in the 15th minute before taking his seasons tally to five in all competitions in the 74th minute when he made the most out of a Godfrey Walusimbi low cross.
In an early kick off at the same venue, KCB lost 0-2 to visiting Western Stima. Ronald Okoth, a January signing from Nairobi Stima, and Etone Simiyu were the scorers for the visiting team.
VERY BAD START
At Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium, Ulinzi Stars were gunned down 2-0 by Sony Sugar.
“This is a very bad start and we must pull up our socks. We gifted our opponents soft goals,” coach Robert matano said.
The sugar millers scored their goals through Marwa Chamberi and Samwel Onyango.
At the Thika Municipal Stadium, ten-time champions forced a 1-1 draw against Thika United. Both teams wasted clear chances before Wycliffe Opondo put the home team ahead.
The brewers however benefited from a penalty awarded three minutes later after Kennedy Otieno had handled the ball in the goal area, and midfielder Ismail Dunga converted from the spot.
The brewers had put through a rich squad composed of new signings Patrick Oboya, James Situma and Humphrey Mieno and they dominated play in both halves of the match, with Brain Osumba and Jesse Were all fluffing good chances.
KPL results
Gor Mahia 4 Mathare United 2
Thika United 1 Tusker 1
Ulinzi Stars 0 Sony Sugar 2
KCB 0 Western Stima 2