Bernard Ondiek and Wellington Ochieng' savour their KPL Super Cup win in the Gor Mahia dressing room. [Photo/KPL]
Kenya Premier League Champions Gor Mahia have won the super cup, thanks to Harun Shakava’s solitary goal against AFC Leopards at the Afraha Stadium on Sunday.
Shakava sneaked in between Salim ‘Shittu’ Abdallah and Duncan Otieno to thump in a header past a helpless Gabriel Andika, meeting a well diced George Odhiambo cross from the left six minutes to halftime.
It was a morale-boosting victory for Gor as they prepare for their title defense and an assault at making it into the group stages of continental football, while for AFC Leopards and their boss Robert Matano it was a textbook revision of what to improve with the new season a week away.
Gor Mahia’s goal was a result of brilliant team play from K’Ogalo; Godfrey Walusimbi won the ball off an AFC offensive move, picked out Wellington Ochieng who in turn slipped through a pass to Odhiambo who delivered an inviting cross on the first touch.
It was a deserved lead for Gor who had been the most enterprising upfront though Ingwe also had some attacking moves.AFC had the first chances of the game.
In the eighth minute, new boy Mburu swung in a long throw from the left but Arkoh glanced it wide. Minutes later, Mburu had an effort with an inswinging freekick from his left foot but it went just wide.
But from then, Gor took on AFC by the horns, and Odhiambo had his first effort in the 15th minute when he struck a shot from the left after a lay off from Mieno but it went just over.
Gor had shouts for a penalty downed in the 19th minute when Abdallah seemed to bump into Meddie Kagere’s back inside the box, but referee Peter Waweru waved play on.