AFC Leopards vs Gor Mahia: Benson Omalla destroys the Ingwe

AFC Leopards vs Gor Mahia: Benson Omalla destroys the Ingwe
Credit @AFCLeopards Twitter

The AFC Leopards vs Gor Mahia tie is among the most anticipated ties in the FKF Kenya Premier League every season.

It turned out to be a one-sided affair this time around, with the champions winning 2-0, thanks to a Benson Omalla brace.

The derby was vital to both sides beyond bragging rights.

The Ingwe are flirting in the relegation zone with four points from five matches, while the champions, Gor Mahia, are trailing surprise leaders Posta Rangers.

The dynamics meant that the AFC Leopards vs Gor Mahia tie took on a massive importance.

The Ingwe needed a win to crawl out of the relegation zone, while Gor Mahia needed to close the expanding gap between them and Posta Rangers.

AFC Leopards vs Gor Mahia: The away side made nonsense of home support in the first half

AFC Leopards vs Gor Mahia Omalla scores a brace
Credit @vumaSPORT Twitter

Many expected home support to count in the AFC Leopards vs Gor Mahia tie, but the league champions made it count for nothing in the first half.

The derby was supposed to be a test for the champions, and they approached the game with all seriousness.

There was not plenty of action in the first half, but Gor Mahia made things look easy as they stomped to an early first-half lead.

It was not until the 17th minute before the home side cooked up any real danger.

With proceedings even, Nyakeya carved out an opening for the home side, as he found Munyendo with a lovely pass, but his shot was off target.

The chance seemed to galvanize AFC Leopards, but they paid for their recklessness moments later.

Leopards had piled pressure on Gor Mahia.

Victor Otieno could have put Leopards in the lead in the 21st minute, but the goalkeeper parried his shot goalkeeper out for a corner kick.

The ensuing corner kick saw Gor Mahia hit the home side with a breathtaking counterattack that ended up with Benson Omalla scoring to give Gor Mahia the lead.

It was a sucker punch for the home side, who had the upper hand.

The AFC Leopards vs Gor Mahia was living up to the hype, and all efforts by the Leopards to get an equalizer saw Kacie Odhiambo receiving a yellow card in the 41st minute.

Gor Mahia held on to their first half till the referee called time on the first 45 minutes.

Benson Omalla settled the tie in the second half

AFC Leopards vs Gor Mahia: Ingwe's relegation struggles continues
Credit @AFCLeopards Twitter

With a goal in the bag, the expectations were that Gor Mahia would try and see out the game.

Of course, it is AFC Leopards vs Gor Mahia, and this derby is not a game where both teams faffle around.

Gor Mahia is trailing Posta Rangers and needed all three points to close the gap between them and the league leaders and made their intent known in the second half.

The Kasarani Stadium was well and truly alive, with the home fans urging their side to get an equalizer, but Gor Mahia struck again.

Benson Omalla was the tormentor-in-chief, and he scored his sixth goal of the season.

With 11 minutes of the second half played, Omalla was on target again to make it 2-0 for Gor Mahia.

The forward was in the right place at the right ime to tap in the second goal.

The AFC Leopards vs Gor Mahia tie was now looking one-sided. With the second goal, Ingwe decided it was time to make changes, and the home side made a double substitution.

Cliff Miheso and Cliff Nyakeya made way for Jaffari Owiti and Beja Hassan in the 60th minute.

The changes did not improve the fortunes of the Ingwe, as they trailed 2-0.

Twelve minutes later, Maxwell Otieno replaced Victor Otieno, while Brian Wanyama came on for Boniface Munyendo with about seven minutes of regular time left.

Gor Mahia left nothing to chance, sealing a 2-0 win and taking them to within four points of league leaders Posta Rangers.

Lineups

AFC Leopards
Opiyo Levis, Randy Bakari, Mahiga Vincent, Odhiambo Kacie, Emmanuel Lwangu, Oundo Musa, Nyakeya Cliff, Kweyu Muyendo, Yakhama Brian, Otieno Victor, Miheso Cliffton

Subs
Katasi, Were, Wanyama, Shichenje, Maxwell, Sije, Beja Jaffari, Kimani

Gor Mahia
Omondi Kevin, Onyango Ronney, Ochieng Godfrey, Onyango Kenedy, Emery Bayisenge, Simiyu Kevin, Mugisha Rogers, Ochieng Lawrence, Omalla Benson, Austin Odhiambo, Patrick Sibomana

Subs
Caleb, Ochuoga, Alvin, Bryson, Joshua, Wendo, Apha, Rodgers, Christopher

This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago

Chooka Izuegbuna
Chooka Izuegbuna is a Sports Journalist with 20 years of experience in print, TV and Radio. He has worked with some of the top media houses in Nigeria, including NTA Network, Channels TV, TVC, Silverbird TV and MITV. Chooka broke his sports reporting teeth with The Game Football Weekly in 2003 as a cartoonist and reporter. Chooka has a passion for football and has been a fan of Enugu Rangers (over 30 years) and Real Madrid (Since 1996).
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