Gor Mahia were held to a barren draw for the second time in a row after failing to break down Nairobi City Stars at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, yesterday. But Gor, who remain at the top of the log, will blame themselves for not scoring at least a goal in the first half.
Gor Mahia’s Kevin Omondi (left) fi ghts for the ball against City Stars’ Joel Sebuliba during their Tusker Premier League match at Kasarani, yesterday. PHOTO:STAFFORD ONDEG/STANDARD
The league leaders had three chances to go ahead but wasted all of them. First, Edwin Lavatsa blasted wide after being put through by Innocent Mutiso in the 10th minute. Mutiso had beaten his markers in the City Stars defense with a low effort but his final pass was wasted.
In the 15th minute, Solo- mon Nasio watched in disbelief as his long shot from the right fl ank hit the cross bar. Then ten minutes later, Paul Kiongera missed a clear shot on goal when he found himself unmarked inside the City Stars defense only to fi re a blank. Gor Mahia midfi elder Eric
Ochieng’ hit the goal post at the half hour mark in another failed effort by the league leaders. City Star’s fi rst attempt on
Goal came in the 35th minute through veteran forward Justus Basweti who tested Jerim Onyango in the Gor Mahia goal with a shot from a freekick which the custodian easily saved. In Chemelil, the hosts Sugar went down 1-0 against visiting Tusker.
Playing before a capacity crowd of partisan Chemelil Sugar FC fans led by club chairman Fredrick Owino and ardent supporter Teddy Olouch, the millers, buoyed by their 1-1 draw against visitng Tanzanian side Azam FC at Kisumu ASK Show, embarked on the match on a high note.
Chemelil’s Harambee Stars player Daniel Mutai, missed a scoring opportunity in the 10th minute, with only Tusker custodian Samuel Odhiambo to beat. The hosts exerted more pressure but the Tusker custodian, who was the man of the match, stood tall between the posts. Tusker counter-attacked and the move paid dividends with their all-important goal scored by Jesse were in the 16th minute.
Piling On The Pressure
Were latched onto a superb cross by teammate Luke Ochieng’ to shoot past Chemelil Sugar custodian Jairus Adira. However, after a brief moment of celebration, Tusker’s spirit was dampened when Thika-based central referee Raphael Nduati handed Luke Ochieng’ a red-card for foul play, reducing the brewers to ten men.
After the break, Chemelil piled more pressure on Tusker with Jared Obwoge, Tonny Opondo and John Onami a second-half substitute, missing valuable scoring opportunities, while some of their goal-bound shots being parried away by the Tusker custodian Odhiambo. Speaking to FeverPitch, after the match, a Chemelil
Sugar technical bench official Rajab Said conceded that match was closely contested adding thatTusker were technically fi t, albeit saved from a fi erce Chemelil Sugar onslaught by their custodian Odhiambo. Elsewhere, Western Stima were held to a barren draw by Sony Sugar yesterday at Kakamega’s Bukhungu Stadium. Stima coach Francis Baraza, who said luck eluded his side, promised a better show in the next game. “ This is not the kind of result we hoped to achieve today, it was not an easy match though we should have carried the day,” said Baraza. In Mombasa, hosts Bandari rediscovered their winning ways, beating Karuturi Sports 1-0 at Mbaraki Sports Ground, yesterday.
By Gilbert Wandera and Bosco Magare, The Standard
