K’Ogalo have bounced back in the SportPesa Premier League with a spirited performance, showing resilience, attacking flair, and renewed confidence.

Gor Mahia picked up their first win of the 2025/26 SportPesa League campaign with a hard-fought 2-0 lead at the break against Sofapaka in their second league outing at Dandora Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Having lost their opening game of the season, Charles Akonnor ’s men came into the clash under pressure, and the early exchanges suggested another uphill task.

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 Sofapaka settled quickly, with Douglas Koech and Satala Djafari combining to trouble the Gor backline.

 In the 12th minute Victor Odhiambo floated a cross into the area which found Japheth Mzungu but his header was comfortably gathered by Brynne Omondi in the K’Ogalo goal. 

Moments later, Joseph Kuloba tested Gor’s defence with a direct run only to be halted by Mike Kibwage’s timely intervention.

Gor Mahia gradually grew into the contest as Austine Odhiambo began linking up with Alpha Onyango and Enock Morrisson in midfield. Their first real opening came in the 20th minute when Sheriff Musa skipped past Michael Otieno down the left only for his cross to be cut out by Daniel Ng’ang’a at full stretch.

The breakthrough arrived in the 32nd minute. A deep corner from the right caused chaos in the Sofapaka box, with Bryton Onyona’s header sparking a goalmouth scramble. Amid the confusion, Ghanaian forward Ebenezer Adukwaw pounced quickest, bundling the ball over the line past Victor Kamungo to hand Gor Mahia the lead.

In the 38th minute, Gor had the chance to double their advantage from the spot when Austine Odhiambo was brought down inside the area. The midfielder picked himself up to take the penalty, but his effort flew agonisingly over the bar letting Sofapaka off the hook.

Sofapaka attempted to respond before halftime, with Roy Okal trying his luck from distance, though Omondi remained untroubled.

At the interval, Gor Mahia held a slender 1-0 advantage, a vital one given their opening-day defeat,after a cagey first half where Sofapaka had the brighter start but the visitors’ momentum and Adukwaw’s predatory instincts made the difference.

The second half picked up where the first had left off, with Sofapaka pushing numbers forward in search of an equaliser while Gor Mahia looked to exploit spaces on the counter. Roy Okal and Douglas Koech continued to probe for Batoto ba Mungu, but the visitors stood firm at the back through Mike Kibwage and Bryton Onyona.

In the 55th minute, Gor Mahia doubled their advantage when Austine Odhiambo picked up a loose ball in midfield and fed Ebenezer Adukwaw, who turned neatly before releasing a strike from 20 yards. The Ghanaian forward’s effort took on a looping trajectory, sailing over Victor Kamungo and dropping just beneath the crossbar to make it 2-0.

That goal settled K’Ogalo into their rhythm, with Enock Morrisson and Alpha Onyango dictating the tempo in midfield. Sheriff Musa nearly added a third in the 63rd minute when his curling effort from the edge of the box whistled just wide of the upright.

Sofapaka, desperate to get back into the contest, made attacking substitutions, introducing Elias Olaki and Rodgers Musumba. Their closest chance came in the 74th minute when Kuloba rose highest to meet a cross, but his header drifted harmlessly over Brynne Omondi’s goal.

From there, Gor Mahia managed the game with composure, maintaining possession and slowing the tempo whenever Sofapaka threatened to build momentum. Substitute Christopher Ochieng almost capped off the performance in stoppage time with a powerful strike that forced Kamungo into a fingertip save.

At full-time, Gor Mahia ran out 2-0 winners, registering their first three points of the campaign after the opening-day defeat.

Gor Mahia Starting XI: Brynne Omondi, Paul Ochuoga, Bryton Onyona, Mike Kibwage, Felix Oluoch, Silvester Owino, Enock Morrisson, Alpha Onyango, Austine Odhiambo, Sherif Musa, Adukiwa Ebenezer.

Substitutes: Philemon Otieno, Ben, StanleyGeorge Amonno, Fidel Orig, Mark Shaban, Christopher Ochieng, Lawrence Juma, Patrice Esombe, Siraj Mohamed, Samuel Kapen, Joshua Onyango, Agad Mathews.

Sofapaka Starting XI:  Victor Kamungo, Vinedine Ambesa, Michael Otieno, Stephen Bonney, Victor Odhiambo (C), Daniel Ng’ang’a, Japheth Mzungu, Satala Djafari, Roy Okal, Douglas Koech, Joseph Kuloba.