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The Nairobian

Gor make top eight semis: Sserunkuma nets as Thika United fall

Football

By -GILBERT WANDERA | Apr 21, 2014

By GILBERT WANDERA

Thika United defender Vincent Nyaberi (left) is challenged by Gor Mahia striker George Odhiambo during their Top Eight match at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos. [PHOTO: DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Gor Mahia are through to the semi-finals of the Kenya Premier League (KPL) Top-8 tournament after edging out Thika United 2-1 at Machakos Stadium on Sunday.

Ugandan danger man Dan Sserunkuma scored the first goal for Gor Mahia in the 45th minute before Rama Salim added a second on the hour mark.

Dennis Odhiambo then pulled one back for Thika United from the penalty spot in the 65th minute but it was not enough to keep his side in the tournament.

There was a sense of caution from both sides as the match kicked off. The ball was hit from side to side with neither side creating chances.

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Thika United preferred a physical approach and within the first 20 minutes had sent out David ‘Calabar’ Owino and Innocent Mutiso through injury.

This forced Gor Mahia coach Bobby Williamson to make early substitutions. He brought in Israel Emuge for Owino and George Odhiambo taking over from Mutiso.

Thika defenders took a more physical approach for which they surprisingly did not even receive a caution. Their forwards played too deep and were often caught off-side.

Both teams did not create many chances in the entire first half with Gor Mahia’s best opportunity coming in the 14th minute when Musa Mohammed picked out Rama Salim with a long cross. The latter headed away from goal. Two minutes later, Gor Mahia’s pressure resulted in the first corner of the match.

The Thika defenders did a good job of marking Ugandan dangerman Dan Sserunkuma but he finally got a chance in the 22nd minute only to hit the side netting.

Referee Nasor Doka finally acted by booking Thika defender Simon Mbugua for rough play. He also booked Gor Mahia’s Sserunkuma and George Odhiambo.

Gor Mahia upped the pressure as the first half wound down. With five minutes to go, Sserunkuma got another chance when he pulled out Hamuza Muwonge in goal but did not get the right angle to connect.

Five minutes later, Ssernukuma was rewarded when he turned around to send home Godfrey Kizito’s pass for the opening goal.

Both teams created chances as the second half kicked off but it was Thika United who went all out for the equaliser.

Wyckiff Opondo forced the first save from Gor Mahia goalkeeper David Juma with a long shot that sent the youthful custodian diving in the right direction.

But it was Simon Mbugua who should have scored in the 59th minute with a long range effort but Juma’s finger tip save sent the ball out for a corner.

Thika United forgot to cover their back as they went all out for an equaliser and were duly punished on the hour mark by Rama Salim. He neatly tapped home a Musa Mohammed cross that eluded the Thika United defenders.

Five minutes later Thika United pulled one back from the penalty spot converted by Dennis Odhiambo who was later rested for Anthony Githu.

Thika also rested Bernard Meki for Sammy Mejja in their quest for victory.