Nairobi City Stars 1-4 Gor Mahia: Sserunkuma hat-trick keeps K’Ogalo on top.

Champions Gor Mahia have opened a five point lead at top of KPL table following an emphatic victory over struggling Kawangware-based side.

Ugandan striker Dan Sserunkuma grabbed a hat-trick as Gor Mahia cruised towards a successive Kenyan Premier League title after thrashing Nairobi City Stars 4-1 at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.
“We started well and deserved maximum points from this fixture. We were on top of things from onset and the outcome shows our determination to retain league title,” Gor Mahia coach Frank Nuttall said afterwards.
But the match was marred by two controversial penalties that will remain a talking point for remainder of the season. Ugandan striker Dan Sserunkuma netted a hat-trick as he sent his tally to 14 and remains in pole position to bag golden boot.
Sserunkuma's first goal came in 42nd minute opening flood gates for the others in a span of five minutes.
The goal itself was deserving for Gor Mahia, who were relentless in searching for an opener. The move started from David Owino, who picked out George Odhiambo and the ball ended at the feet of youngster Timothy Otieno, who brought in a perfect cross for Sserunkuma to score.
But the second goal two minutes later from penalty spot will remain controversial. Center referee Amos Wanjala pointed to the box claiming that Dennis Okoth had handled in the box but it looked like the ball had hit his back. Nonetheless, Sserunkuma scored from the spot.
Conceding a second goal so quickly completely disorganized City Stars and they were down again almost immediately this time from George Odhiambo. The move started from Godfrey Kizito who looped the ball inside the City Stars backline and the ball found Godfrey Walusimbi who laid it up for the goal scorer.
Odhiambo's shot at goal was deflected inside the net by John Amboko as Gor Mahia went to the break with a healthy advantage.
On resumption, City Stars made the first substitution resting Kevin Ochieng for Ray Omondi and when they got a free-kick at the edge of Gor Mahia box, they looked they would just pull one goal back.
It did not happen and instead, Gor Mahia were awarded another controversial penalty after centre referee judged that Mark Ongwae had pulled down Haron Shakava. Sserunkuma scored once again from penalty spot.
Everything seemed to be going just wrong for City Stars, who had Nelson Marasowe sent off late in the game. Ray Omondi then pulled one back for City Stars in 82nd minute but it still did not reduce the impact of the huge defeat.
City Stars remain in relegation zone and will have to do better in their remaining fixtures.