Gor Mahia stay in control, KCB rally as Mara Sugar refuse to fall

Gor Mahia players celebrate their goal during a past KPL match/GOR MAHIA 

The SportPesa League served up a Saturday that reflected its current realities — a frontrunner doing enough to stay in control, a steady challenger showing maturity, and teams near the bottom clinging to survival through sheer resolve.

At Nyayo Stadium, Gor Mahia’s efficiency proved too much for Sofapaka. At Kasarani, KCB calmly overturned an early setback against Mathare United. And at Bukhungu Stadium, Mara Sugar refused to be beaten, fighting back three times to earn a dramatic point against Kakamega Homeboyz.

Gor Mahia’s 3-0 victory over Sofapaka was effectively settled in a blistering first half. After a cautious opening, the champions struck decisively through Frank Odhiambo, Sylvester Owino and Ebenezer Adukwaw, leaving little room for debate before the break.

Head coach Charles Akonnor said the early breakthrough was key against a disciplined opponent.

“The first goal helped us settle because Sofapaka were defending deep and trying to slow the game,” Akonnor said. “Once we scored, the spaces started to appear, and we used them better.”

Akonnor credited preparation for Owino’s set-piece goal, noting that attacking the first ball has been a focus in training. On the penalty, he added, “Musa was positive in the box. When you drive at defenders, these situations happen.”

Despite the comfortable scoreline, Akonnor cautioned against complacency. “It looks easy from the outside, but these games are never simple,” he said. “Three points are good, but they don’t count more than any other win.”

Sofapaka head coach Ezekiel Akwana admitted his side struggled once they fell behind.

“Our plan was to stay compact and frustrate them, but we didn’t defend the first ball well,” Akwana said. “After conceding, we rushed our decisions.”

He pointed to mental lapses rather than tactical flaws, adding that the penalty was avoidable. Still, Akwana insisted the relegation fight remains open.

“The table is tight at the bottom. One result can change everything,” he said.

At Kasarani, KCB FC showed growing maturity in a 2-1 comeback win over Mathare United. After conceding an early own goal, the Bankers resisted the urge to panic and gradually worked their way back into the match.

December Kisakah’s equaliser just before halftime shifted momentum, before Amatton Samunya’s header early in the second half sealed the turnaround. KCB’s ability to manage the closing stages — including a crucial late save — underlined a team increasingly comfortable in tight situations.

Mathare, meanwhile, were left to rue missed chances and familiar defensive lapses as they remain stuck in the lower half of the table.

The weekend’s most dramatic encounter unfolded at Bukhungu Stadium, where Mara Sugar came from behind three times to draw 3-3 with Kakamega Homeboyz.

Homeboyz head coach Patrick Odhiambo admitted frustration at failing to protect leads. “When you score three goals at home, you expect to win,” he said, pointing to preventable defensive errors and poor game management.

For Mara Sugar coach Edward Manoah, the draw was a reflection of resilience rather than perfection. “We made mistakes, but what pleased me was the reaction every time we went behind,” he said.

As the league edges toward a decisive phase, Gor Mahia continue to control the pace at the top, KCB are quietly positioning themselves among the contenders, and teams at the bottom are battling week by week for survival — proof that in the FKF Premier League, belief often matters as much as quality.

Elsewhere, Tusker suffered yet another blow in their quest to climb up the standings following a 1-1 draw with Posta Rangers. Alex Onchwari gave the brewers a first-half stoppage-time lead, only for Kevin Juma to level the scores seven minutes into the second half.