In other league encounters, a second half goal from Eric Juma helped Mara Sugar end their four games losing streak defeating Kariobangi Sjarks 1 – 0
Alvin Mang’eni returned from injury, starting on the bench before coming on to score as Kenya Police FC defeated reigning champions Gor Mahia 1-0 in their FKF Premier League match on Saturday at the Sportpesa Arena in Murang’a. The defeat marks Gor Mahia’s second loss under interim coach Zedekiah “Zico” Otieno, leaving them with 18 points from 12 matches and dropping from fourth to sixth place.
Zico opted for a defensive approach, starting with six defensive players in the first eleven, while Burundian Ndayiragije Etienne retained his lineup that started the previous match against Bidco.
The match started with an early disallowed goal for Gor Mahia in the ninth minute as Christopher Ochieng’s effort was ruled offside. Police FC came close in the 26th minute, but Marvin Nabwire’s shot went over the bar. Just before halftime, the match had to be stopped for some few minutes after a commotion in the police technical bench area and fans but the match resumed with the teams going for halftime goalless.
In the second half, Ettiene’s tactical substitutions at the break paid off. Alfred Leku, Jackson Macharia and Alvin Mang’eni came on for Marvin Nabwire,Clinton Kinanga and Francis Kahata. Mang’eni scored the only goal of the match in the 63rd minute, heading in a well delivered corner from Daniel Sakari. Despite several substitutions by Gor Mahia to boast the team and find a leveler, they could not break down Police’s defense with the match ending 1-0 in favor of the law enforcers.
The loss adds to Gor Mahia’s woes as they now have gone three matches without a win. Meanwhile, Police FC now moves to fourth place in the standings with 20 points after three consecutive wins.
In other league encounters, a second half goal from Eric Juma helped Mara Sugar end their four games losing streak defeating Kariobangi Sjarks 1 – 0. In Machakos, Emmanuel Osoro netted in late into extra time to secure a point for Talanta FC as they drew 1 – 1 with Nairobi City Stars, with Mohammed Bajaber having opened the scoring for the Simba Wa Nairobi in the 11th minute.