By Louis Kalinga
Gor Mahia extended their Kenya Premier League winning record as they lifted a 20th title at the Kasarani Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Gor came from behind to beat Nairobi City Stars 4-1 in front of a jubilant crowd to seal a first KPL title since 2020.
The victory also means that Gor Mahia will represent the country in the CAF Champions League qualification stage next season.
It was a day filled with anxiety as Gor needed nothing other than a win to seal the title as second-place Tusker were hot on their heels.
It all seemed to be going all wrong when City Stars forward Samuel Kapen scored to open the scoring three minutes after the break.
The lead did not last long as Benson Omala bagged his 26th goal of the season three minutes later to level matters and restore hope to the K’Ogalo faithful.
Jonathan McKinstry’s side seemed to come alive after that goal and Peter Lwasa sent the stadium into delirium with a beautiful goal in the 62nd minute.
Lwasa showed extreme composure to skip past a defender in the box before rifling a left footed shot into the roof of the net.
The record KPL winners began to have fun with it now and Austine Odhiambo scored a marvelous free-kick to put the game past their opponents.
Alpha Onyango then put the icing on the cake with a fourth goal to seal the title and cap off a remarkable season for the Green Army.
McKinstry was ecstatic to win the title in his first season in charge of Gor Mahia and expressed utmost gratitude to his players and the fans for all their hard work.
“This is a huge day for the club and the thousands of fans because we have done it, we kept our cool and focus to win the title.
“It has been a tough season but we have managed to beat the odds and maintain our consistency. Today is your day, all of you and we can finally celebrate,” McKinstry told SportPesa News.
Tusker finished in second place after an impressive 4-0 demolition of relegated Vihiga Bullets at the Mumias Complex.
Police FC, Nzoia Sugar and KCB rounded up the top five places as all three teams finished with 64 points after playing out to draws during the final match-day.
Despite beating Wazito in their final game, Mathare United were also relegated from the Kenyan top flight, with the latter playing in the promotion play-off for a second consecutive season.