KAKAMEGA Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula has criticized Kenyan Premier League top team Gor Mahia for playing a defensive style, called 'parking the bus', during their mid-week FKF Premier League match at Kasarani Stadium on Wednesday.
Image /Gor Mahia Media
The record Kenyan champions managed to win the game with a goal in the 19th minute, scored by midfielder Alpha Onyango.
Onyango, who played as the team's captain after Austin Odhiambo was left out, made a great play to beat Homeboyz goalkeeper Simon Masaka.
Since losing to the promoted team APS Bomet, Gor Mahia had not won any of their previous two matches.
They had a tough 4-1 loss against APS Bomet and followed it with a 1-0 defeat to their rivals AFC Leopards in a derby match.
Gor Mahia then traveled to Mombasa, where they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Bandari FC.
The match against Homeboyz was crucial for their Ghanaian coach Charles Akonnor, who was facing criticism from fans after the draw against Bandari.
Gor Mahia will not win the league if they keep playing like this, said Shimanyula.
Speaking to Flashscore after the match, he directly questioned Gor Mahia's ability to take the Premier League title from Kenya Police FC. He said their performance was among their worst, and the decision to defend the one goal they had was a big factor.
Shimanyula said, "It's very shameful for a respected team like Gor Mahia to play like that.
I wasn't expecting such a performance from them. It was a poor display, with many players behind the ball."
He added, "Gor Mahia scored a goal in the 19th minute and then decided to park the bus.
They never played the rest of the match as if their lives depended on it. This is not the Gor Mahia I've known for many years."