Omalla sucker punch sees Mighty Gor silence Police to extend lead on top of FKF PL – Capital Sports
NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 25 – He might have been silenced all game, but striker Benson Omalla showed up when needed most, scoring an 83rd minute winner as Gor Mahia extended their lead on top of the FKF Premier League standings with a 2-1 win over Kenya Police at the Kasarani Stadium on Saturday.
Omalla was kept quiet for most of the game by a tight-marking Police backline, but off a swift counter, he won his team three points with his 16th goal of the season.
Keeper Gad Mathews hit the ball long from a quick restart off a corner landing on Boniface Omondi, the winger cutting in to leave David Owino on his backside before laying the meat on a silver platter for Omalla to score.
He had a poor first touch from the ball, but his never dying spirit saw him extend a foot with a bit of power to completed the comeback for Gor.
Police had scored early through Elvis Rupia, but Dennis Ng’ang’a levelled for K’Ogalo.
A fast paced start saw two goals scored within the opening 20 minutes. It was Police who had the brightest start with Rupia thumping home the opener with a header after 11 minutes, but Gor responded in kind through Ng’ang’a.
Police were fast off the blocks, their swift passing and movement in dangerous areas causing frequent trouble for Gor.
In the fifth minute, such a move saw Duke Abuya break through on the right, but his shot whistled across the face of goal.
Six minutes later though, he would float in the assist for the opener. He was sent through on the right by Francis Kahata before lifting a cross to Rupia, who rose unmarked at the edge of the six yard box to thump home a header.
A training ground freekick routine in the 13th minute almost bore the second goal but this time, Rupia’s shot on the far right after picking up Abuya’s cross hit the side netting.
Against the run of play, K’Ogalo drew level. Ng’ang’a rose up in the midst of a forest of bodies inside the box to head home from a John Macharia corner.
Police were irked, giving out a goal after dominating huge spells of play. They had some more chances, Abuya’s corner being headed wide by Lesley Otieno before Rupia shot straight at the keeper on the half hour mark.
The Police top scorer had time and again camped at Joshua Onyango’s feet, trying to take advantage of his lack of pace, but the young Gor defender battled to stay on his feet.
In the second half, the action was limited to the middle of the pack, with Police having chances off Rupia’s header that went over while Abuya had a shot snap wide.
When they were all in for a winner, Police were caught pants down on the rear, Omalla notching a much needed winner.
