Gor Mahia Crowned Champions By AFC Leopards In The Mashemeji Derby

Gor Mahia are the 2018 Kenyan Premier League champions for a record 17^th time with 6 matches to spare and points difference of 20 after thumping their arch rivals AFC Leopards 2-0 in the Mashemeji Derby at the Kasarani Stadium Saturday.

Two first half goals from Boniface Omondi and Bernard Ondiek sealed the win that confirmed Gor’s recent dominance over their in-laws in the Kenya’s fiercest football rivalry.

Gor have now narrowed the head to head record between them and Leopards to just one win.

In 84 league outings between the two, Gor have now won 26 one less than their arch rivals. K’Ogalo however lead in the number of goals scored with 76 one more than Ingwe’s tally.

Leopards got off to a better start, dominating possession but, it was the hosts, who went ahead through Omondi, who fired past goalkeeper Ezekiel Owande in the 31^st minute.

Omondi set up Ondiek for the second eight minutes later after receiving a long pass from Burundian defender Karim Nizigiyimana.

Ingwe were equally animated in the second stanza but could not break Gor’s backline that had a totally different composition as coach Dylan Kerr fielded a second string team.

Attacking midfielder Yvonne Isuza missed a glorious chance to pull one back from the spot in the 43^rd minute after defender Joachim Oluoch handled in the box, sending the ball over the bar with Peter Odhiambo well beaten.

Gor have now won four of the last five meetings between them and Leopards, with Ingwe’s last win coming on 6 March 2016.

K’Ogalo have also sealed a double over the 12-time Kenyan champions for the first time since winning the league unbeaten for the first time in 1976.

The team now shifts focus to Wednesday’s CAF Confederation Cup Group D match away to USM Alger in Algeria with a chance to advance to the quarterfinals.

Do you have a story you want told? Do you know of a sensitive story you would like us to get our hands on? Email your news TIPS to Editor@kahawatungu.com