Little known striker Eliud Lokuwam came off the bench to score the lone goal in 1-0 win for Gor Mahia against Chemelil at Nakuru’s Afuraha Stadium on Thursday.
The 77th minute goal, was enough to earn K’Ogalo three vital points as they match to another Kenya Premier League title.
In a fixture that saw head coach Dylan Kerr rest many of regular starters, Chemelil had a good game in opening half with their custodian keeping Gor Mahia at bay with good saves.
GOR Mahia are five points away from 17th title after today’s win – https://t.co/nyfK1LJqPB#Sirkal https://t.co/nyfK1LJqPB
— GOR MAHIA FC (@OfficialGMFC) August 16, 2018
Second half was different and with the Sugar men holding deep to defend, the pressure was on them as Gor side knock at their door minute after minute. The introduction of Lokuwam added more pressure to Chemelil based team as his pace and skills kept the opponents on their heels all the time.
⚽ | Gor Mahia Form
? | “Gor are making the country proud. I watched them play Hull City on TV and they are a talented team.
The players have a good coach. They also have a lot of morale and give everything they’ve got.
-MJP Bonus winner Chris Mutinda, Gor Mahia fan. pic.twitter.com/dufmMlftG4
— SportPesa (@SportPesa) August 16, 2018
Lokuwam pounced on a long ball into the area and with the Chemelil keeper missing to pick it up, a perfect chance it was for Gor Mahia to grab the lead.
Lokuwam did a nice turn to bang it home to give Gor Mahia a goal that would help them bag maximum points.
With the win, Gor Mahia are now at 65 points and only five points are needed to seal it off for 2018 season and make it 17 league titles won.
The team will now switch focus to Sunday’s CAF CC match against Rwanda’s Rayon Sports at Kasarani on Sunday evening.
The team are on top Group D with eight points same as Algeria’s USM Algers but with a superior goal difference. A win against the Rwandan giants will consolidate qualification, though a draw could also be enough to seal a spot in the knockouts.
Gor will also face EPL side Everton FC in November. The match, that will be sponsored by giant betting firm Sportpesa will be played at Goodison Park in Liverpool.