Gor Mahia Dims Western Stima’s Light in a Kisumu Duel
New signing Tito Okello scored a second-half brace to inspire defending champions Gor Mahia to a 3-1 win over Western Stima in a tight Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League match played on Monday at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.
The win saw new K’Ogallo head coach Carlos Vaz Pinto register his second win in the premier league as the defending champions moved five-place up to eight in the standings with nine points.
Samuel Onyango gave the champions the lead in the 22nd minute after heading home from a Kenneth Muguna cross before Oromchan Villa levelled the scores in the 37th minute from a rebound after Boniface Oluoch failed to hold on to Baron Oketch’s long-range effort.
In the second half, super-sub Okello restored the visitors lead in the 66th minute after heading in goal from captain Muguna’s corner kick before putting the game to bed four minutes from time with a thunderbolt strike 15-yards from goal.
Speaking after the win, Gor coach Pinto said he was happy with the win which came at a crucial time for the team which is still finding its foot in the league after their continental assignments.
“It was a tight but good game. Very physical but in the end am happy with the maximum points. This win is important for us in building our confidence going forward as we seek to restore our status as title contenders,” said Pinto who joined Gor earlier this month.
The match started on a high note with both teams conceding early fouls with the fight for midfield dominance going physical.