Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry has admitted the race to win the FKF Premier League title is not in their hands after the 3-2 defeat against Kakamega Homeboyz at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday.
K’Ogalo took a deserved lead in the 12th minute when Shafiq Kagimu’s diving header of an Austin Odhiambo cross found the back of the net but Ambrose Sifuna pounced on a loose clearance to restore parity for Homeboyz in the 38th minute.
Gor Mahia retook their lead in the 47th minute when Odhiambo scored off a cross from James Macharia but Kevin Amwayi levelled the scores for Homeboyz once again in the 56th minute before Hillary Juma broke K’Ogalo hearts with a stoppage-time winner.
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However, the defeat left K’Ogalo at the top of the 18-team table with 67 points since close challengers Tusker had also dropped vital points after a 1-1 draw against Posta Rangers. The Northern Irish tactician has admitted the race to win a record 20th league title will hinge on the outcome of their final game of the season against Nairobi City Stars on Sunday.
“Our passing [against Homeboyz] was not great, and it is very important we get that right for the final game against City Stars on Sunday because the league is not clearly in our hands now,” said McKinstry, adding: “We all know if Tusker pick up the three points and we lose on Sunday, they will be champions. Against City Stars, it is going to be a Cup final, and we must need it more, or else we will give away the trophy on the final day.”
On the defeat against Homeboyz, McKinstry said: “To be honest you know, it was a good cross from the guy and Homeboyz scored [the winner], and obviously, we wanted to balance between to win the game and we did not want to lose the game considering the result from the game elsewhere [Tusker] but it is not the case now because we lost and Tusker drew.”
He added: “We are still in number one position in the table and we will try and go win it [the league title] but honestly speaking, well played Homeboyz, they deserved the win really when you score three goals means you deserve it and we were a little bit off.”
Gor Mahia will need victory against Simba wa Nairobi to be declared champions without looking at the outcome of the Tusker game but should K’Ogalo draw and Tusker win, then the Brewers, who are second on 66 points, and will face relegated Vihiga Bullets, will be declared the champions.