June 25, 2023 Patrick

Head-to-head: Nairobi City Stars (H) vs Gor Mahia (A): 2022/23 FKF Premier League season

Rowland Makati against George Odhiambo of Gor Mahia in a matchday 14 FKF Premier League tie on 4 Feb 2023 in Kasarani

Nairobi City Stars will host Gor Mahia in Kasarani Main Stadium on Sunday 25 June 2023 starting at 3 pm during a very high stake 34th and final game in the 2022-23 FKF Premier League schedule.

High stake in the sense that the upcoming game is a title decider. Gor Mahia comes to the game as the table leader in the 18-team league with 67 points, one ahead of defending champions Tusker.

They have to match the results of their foe who will be playing away to Vihiga Bullets in Mumias on the same day.

In the Sunday game, it will be match number 28 in the Kenyan top-flight between City Stars and Gor Mahia since the 2005/6 premier league season. It will be the 14th game for City Stars as the home team against Gor Mahia.

The game comes 13 months after the two last faced off at the same venue, in which City Stars played as hosts. Gor came from behind on two occasions to win it 3-2.

From the previous 13 home games, City Stars has a single win over Gor Mahia. In June 2006, then known as World Hope, the team ‘beat’ Gor – who never turned up for a 36th round tie in Nyayo Stadium in the 2005-6 season. It was a walkover.

From the other 12 games, City Stars has managed six draws and lost the other six. In the 13 home games, Gor Mahia has outscored Simba wa Nairobi 22 goals to eleven.

City Stars has previously hosted Gor Mahia three times in season enders: at the end of the 2006/7, 2008, and 2010 seasons.

On 17th Nov 2007, in the final game of the 2006/7 season, City Stars, coached by Robert Matano, held Gor Mahia to a 2-2 draw at the Hope Centre. Justus Basweti and Dennis Wise Okoth scored for the home team as Gor grabbed a share of the spoils with a brace from Bramwell Karamoja.

On 22 Nov 2008, in the final game of the 2008 season, City Stars, coached by legend John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla, held Gor Mahia to a 1-1 draw at the Hope Centre. Francis Thairu scored for the hosts with Zablon Otieno scoring for the visitors.

In the final game of the 2010 season, played in City Stadium, City Stars, coached by Ken Odhiambo, held Gor Mahia to a 0-0 draw.

As is the case in the upcoming game, the 2010 tie had a bearing on who takes home the league title. But Ulinzi Stars beat Gor Mahia to it with a 3-0 win over Karuturi Sports at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.

Ahead to the upcoming game, City Stars parades a 2-2 draw earned in their penultimate season game against FC Talanta, as Gor Mahia is reeling from a 3-2 loss to Kakamega Homeboyz.

Simba wa Nairobi coach Nicholas Muyoti will once again be up against his counterpart on the Gor side Johnathan McKinstry who was behind the 1-0 win during the corresponding first-leg match at the same venue.

City Stars sits 15th on the log with 34 points while Gor Mahia is top of the charts with 67 points.

Who wins this one?

Summary

City Stars home games vs Gor: 13–Wins (1), Draws (6), Loses (6)

11-Jun-06; World Hope vs Gor Mahia, 2-0 (W-walkover)
17-Nov-07; World Hope vs Gor Mahia, 2-2 (D)*
22-Nov-08; World Hope vs Gor Mahia, 1-1 (D)*
16-Aug-09; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 0-1 (L)
14-Nov-10; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 0-0 (D)*
2-Nov-11; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 0-1 (L)
21-Jul-12; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 0-4 (L)
4-Aug-13; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 0-0 (D)
4-Oct-14; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 1-4 (L)
15-Apr-15; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 0-3 (L)
12-Mar-16; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 2-2 (D)
17-Jul-21; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 1-1 (D)
29-May-22; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, 2-3 (L)
25-Jun-23; City Stars vs Gor Mahia, ??*

*season enders

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