Elsewhere last weekend, Ulinzi Stars came from behind to secure their first win of the season, defeating Posta Rangers 2 – 1 on last weekend at the Machakos Stadium.
Reigning champions Gor Mahia suffered their first defeat of the season on Monday, 10th October, 2024, losing 2 – 1 to Nairobi City Stars at the Machakos Stadium. City stars who were winless until this match, came from behind to secure victory thanks to second half-goals from Robinson Asenwa and Dennis Oalo.
Gor Mahia coach Leonardo Neiva faced a challenging task, fielding a squad without five of his key players who are out on international duties with Harambee Stars. They include; last year’s league MVP Austin Odhiambo, Alphonse Omija, Sylvester Owino, Geofrey Ochieng’ and Ronney Onyango.
K’ogalo were the first side to pose a threat early in the game but Stephen Bulughu cleared out the attack for a corner to stop Simba wa Nairobi from conceding. K’ogalo kept mounting pressure to the hosts defense and it finally paid off in the 24th minute after defender Levin Odhiambo unleashed a magnificent long range shot from outside the box.
City Stars instantly responded minutes later, but Kelvin Etemesi’s shot went wide. Gor nearly doubled the lead in the 36th minute but Edwin Mukolwe made a crucial save to deny Sharrif Musa, leaving the halftime score at 1 – 0 in favor of Gor.
The second half saw a rejuvenated City Stars as they came back re-energized and hungry for a goal. They almost equalized shortly after the restart, with a wonderful exchange Robinson Asenwa and Dennis Oalo, but Etemesi once again failed to put the ball on target.
The Nairobi boys finally levelled the score in the 60th minute through Asenwa with Mohammed Bajaber as the assist provider. Eight minute later, former Gor player Dennis Oalo struck again giving City Stars a deserved lead. City Stars were reduced to ten men late into the game when defender Edwin Buliba received a second yellow card.
Even with the seven minutes added, Gor couldn’t pull one back and had to head home with a defeat. K’ogalo fans were furious for the loss after the match and captain Philemon Otieno had to intervene and calm them down, offering the team’s apology to them. With the win, City Stars climb from the relegation zone to fourteenth while K’ogalo are nineth. Notably, Gor have played two games less than other teams.
Elsewhere last weekend, Ulinzi Stars came from behind to secure their first win of the season, defeating Posta Rangers 2 – 1 on last weekend at the Machakos Stadium.
Posta opened the scoring in the 7th minute through a deserved Curtis Wesonga goal from a rundown in the right wing. Ulinzi pulled one back in the 21st minute after forward Hillary Masinde headed home a Javan Omondi cross, but the goal was flagged offside.
Ulinzi took the lead in the 74th minute thanks to captain of the day Enosh Ochieng’, who slotted the ball home after Brian Kafero had made a cunning pass, confusing the opponents defense. They nearly increased their lead late in the game, but Kafero’s shot hit the cross bar.
With the win, Ulinzi moves up to 10th place in the standings, now with six points from six matches: one win, three draws and two loses.