Nuttall lauds 'fantastic' Gor

Gor Mahia head coach Frank Nuttall admitted he was delighted with his side's performance after they thrashed Muhoroni Youth 3-0 in the Top 8 on Saturday.

K'Ogalo entered this weekend's cup clash prepared for a tough task, with their opponents having gone their previous 12 matches undefeated.

However, the back-to-back Kenyan Premier League champions, who are unbeaten this entire season, made light work of the Muhoroni outfit, with goals from Meddie Kagere, Michael Olunga and George Odhiambo spurring them into the next round.

"We were excellent from start to finish; we played well even though we had a few changes to the team. We came out expecting a very competitive game but it turned out that only one team came to play football," Nuttall told SuperSport.

"Our opponents were anti football, wasting a lot of time but we came back better prepared in the second half and in the end I am happy that we overcame that and with some good goals. Olunga, Kagere, Eric Ochieng were all fantastic; the team today was fantastic.

"As always, our focus is to just get past the team we play against and now with this win we will go out and celebrate, recover and plan for the next encounter."

Nkata: Gor Mahia were helped by the referee

Muhoroni Youth coach Paul Nkata blames poor officiating for the team's defeat to K'Ogalo in a KPL Top match played at Moi Kisumu Stadium

Muhoroni Youth coach Paul Nkata has slammed poor officiating for his side’s loss against Gor Mahia in the Top 8 tournament.

After a scoreless first half, Gor Mahia came back strongly with goals from Meddie Kagere, Michael Olunga and George Odhiambo enough to send the sugar cane farmers parking. However, Nkata has cried foul with the way the match was officiated, claiming the referee was biased.

“We played against twelve men today (Saturday), the referee did not officiate the match well and it was evident to all. He overlooked our fouls but awarded our opponents and that frustrated my players who as a result lost concentration. He (referee) played a part in our loss," Nkata told Goal.

“Despite that, we matched them in every department, from defense to attack, and I believe it could have been different suppose we could have scored the penalty. Ochomo also had good chances which he did not take and that could have definitely changed the outcome of the game.”

Gor Mahia now progress to the semi-finals with their dreams of treble alive after clinching the Kenyan Premier League title last week, with Muhoroni aiming to finish in top five position for the first time in history.

Okello heroics send Sofapaka through, Gor win

David Okello came off the bench in injury time and saved two penalties as ten-man Sofapaka reached the semi-finals of the KPL Top 8 Cup after beating Chemelil Sugar 5-4 (2-2) on post match penalties at Moi Stadium, Kisumu, yesterday,

Okello, who had replaced Everise Mutuyimana, saved Hamisi Mwinyi and Stephen Wakhanya’s penalties after the match ended 2-2 in regular time. Chemelil started the brighter side with Meshack Karani making a solo run in the second minute but failed to deliver the final pass before setting up Joshua Oyoo whose effort was parried away by Batoto Ba Mungu goalkeeper Mutuyimana into a fruitless corner. Chemelil had a chance to take the lead in the 14th minute after a good delivery from the lanky Karani, but James Omino’s header missed target by inches. Moments later, a free kick from Daniel Mutahi forced a brilliant save from Mutuyimana. But after numerous raids, the Millers finally broke the deadlock through Samuel Ouma’s spot kick on the half hour mark after Karani was brought down in the area by Sofapaka Evans Maliach.

Meanwhile, Meddie Kagere, Michael Olunga and George Odhiambo’s second half goals propelled SPL champions Gor Mahia to the last four of the KPL Top 8 after trouncing Muhoroni Youth 3-0 in a match also played at the same venue. After a frustrating first half, Kagere eventually broke the deadlock in the 61st minute just a few moments after Khalid Aucho had been denied by the post. See Also: Gun rang only once as Ulinzi Stars shoot down ‘Batoto Ba Mungu’ Sofapaka Nine minutes later, Olunga doubled the lead, rounding off Muhoroni goalkeeper Farouk Shikhalo after receiving a fine pass from midfield. Frankline Osama could have pulled a goal back for Muhoroni in the 77th minute after Eric Ochieng handled the ball in the box but Gor goalkeeper Bonface Oluoch saved the resulting penalty.