Gor Mahia's coach Johnathan McKinstry attributes his team's gutsy mentality to their 1-0 triumph over bitter rivals AFC Leopards, despite playing with 10 men in Sunday's Mashemeji derby at Nyayo Stadium.
Austine Odhiambo netted the winner for the champions in the 30th minute after capitalising on a blunder from Leopards' goalkeeper Levis Opiyo.
K'Ogalo goalkeeper, Kelvin Omondi, was given his marching orders in the 37th minute after a professional last-man foul.
"I am extremely pleased with the boys. Our keeper got a red card before the end of the first half. The key to us winning the game was our boys being brave. After that, we had the better chances in terms of creation," he noted.
He praised the midfield for their dominance over the Leopards.
"AFC play high but leave their defence deep. We knew getting our two central midfielders on the ball behind their pressure lines would be the key to our win. If we kept kicking it long, they would keep sending it back," the Irish tactician explained.
McKinstry also questioned Omondi's red card, suggesting he was off the line before the impact.
"I don't think that Omondi's red card was justified. I think he dived off before the player got to the ball," the tactician stated.
K'Ogalo top the log with 57 points. Police are second with 48 points.
McKinstry said they are still wary of their fierce competitors and will take each game as it comes.
"Police are trying to keep up. They are nine points behind. We just have to keep picking up the points. 69 points wins the league now," he said.
"Tough games are coming up. We have to play teams battling relegation. It will be tough," he added.
AFC Leopards head honcho Thomas Trucha apologised to the fans for the loss.
"We had a chance of getting three points or one. We had a chance to level after the red card but we couldn't. I apologise to the fans for the loss because they turned up in large numbers to make the derby lively," Trucha stated.
Tusker beat Ulinzi Stars 1-0 through Eric Kapaito's strike to keep the chase with 46 points at third place. Murang'a Seal and Muhoroni Youth drew 0-0 to leave them 11th and 16th respectively.
