Gor Mahia head coach Jonathan McKinstry has hailed his charges after surmounting a fierce challenge to beat arch-rivals AFC Leopards 1-0 at Nyayo stadium on Sunday.
The record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia wrung out a hard-fought win in the action-packed Mashemeji derby clash to bolster their aspirations for a 21st top-flight title.
"We had planned for this match throughout the week and we are glad we managed to secure maximum points," McKinstry remarked.
"I cannot describe this title-winning match because we still have a few tough encounters against some of the best sides in the competition. But it is certainly a morale booster towards our title aspirations," he added.
As McKinstry lavished praises on his squad, his opposite number Thomas Trucha tore into the Ingwe defence for conceding a silly goal.
"The worst we could have achieved from this match would have been a draw if we hadn't been so careless with the ball," Trucha said.
K'Ogalo's enterprising midfielder Austin Odhiambo was the toast of the day, netting on the half-hour mark to steer his side past their bitter rivals.
Odhiambo capitalised on a juvenile howler, gladly stretching his leg to poke the ball into the gaping net after pouncing on Aziz Okaka's feeble backpass which was meant for Leopards' custodian Kevin Opiyo.
Gor Mahia was eventually reduced to 10 men in the dying minutes of the enthralling encounter after goalkeeper Kevin Oluoch received marching orders following a careless tackle on Leopards' striker Victor Omune who was charging for a goal.
With the win, Gor have effectively opened an emphatic nine-point gap on their closest title challengers Kenya Police who currently place second with 48 points.
In a previous interview on Friday before the clash, Odhiambo said he would not hesitate to burn a hole in Ingwe's net should a perfect opportunity arise for him to do so.
"I'm aware I once donned the Leopards jersey but that does not restrain me from scoring against them if I find myself strategically placed to do so," Odhiambo remarked.
"Football is a job like any other work and I must meet the expectations of my boss. Part of my job description is to blast the back of the net and I will be glad to do so given a chance," he added.
Odhiambo has found the back of the net seven times this season to position himself for the Golden Boot gong.
