Tusker Premier League match abandoned as Sony protest Gor Mahia equaliser

TPL league leaders Gor Mahia’s game against Sony Sugar FC at Awendo Green Stadium was abandoned in the 84th minute after Sony players disputed Gor’s second goal.

Referee Nasoor Ndoka is pulled out of Awendo Green Stadium by an official and Gor Mahia goalkeeper Jerim Onyango (right) after their KPL match was abandoned, on Sunday. PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD

Referee Nasoor Ndoka is pulled out of Awendo Green Stadium by an official and Gor Mahia goalkeeper Jerim Onyango (right) after their KPL match was abandoned, on Sunday. PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD

The hosts were leading 2-1 when David Owino’s blasted a fierce shot that hit the crossbar and appeared to have crossed the line before bouncing back into play.

Both the referee Nasoor Ndoka and linesman Leonard Oyiego pointed to the centre, but the decision elicited an angry reaction from Sony players who insisted that the ball had not crossed the line.

The game was then stopped for 20 minutes as Sony players walked off the pitch while Gor Mahia fans jumped over the security wall and stormed the pitch.

The match was eventually abandoned when Sony players refused to go back to the pitch and even the addition of more security personnel did not normalise things.

Earlier, Sony had twice led the game with Gor levelling in a pulsating game played before thousands of fans.

Gor started the game well with Kiogora Mungai and Antony Akumu dominating the midfield while the hosts appeared content to sit back and try and catch the current league leaders on counter-attack.

And the two almost combined for Gor’s opener in the 20th minute when Akumu slid in Kiogora, but the forward hurried his shot and Kasaja Wycliffe easily saved.

Gor thought they had won a penalty when Kasaja appeared to have fouled Musa Mohamed in Sony’s box but referee Nasoor Ndoka waved away their plea, much to the dismay of Gor’s fans.

And just when Gor seemed to be dominating, the hosts played a quick counter-attack into Gor’s box and veteran striker Marwa Chamberi’s cross was met by Waiswa Andrew who headed it past Jerry Onyango for Sony’s opening goal in the 23rd minute.

A minute later and it would have been 2-0 up with Waiswa once again easily beating Gor’s defence before unleashing a fierce shot only to see his shot come off the crossbar with Onyango well beaten.

Gor Mahia coach Bob Williamson brought in Kevin Omondi for the ineffective Lavatsa and the substitute levelled things in the 54th minute when he headed in Kiogora’s cross past Kasaja.

But Sony continued to threaten and Andrew Waswa almost put them ahead in the 60th minute when he easily sneaked past  Musa Mohamed but Onyango saved well.

But Gor did not heed the warning seriously and a minute later, Sony were ahead and once again, it was Waswa who, not for the first time, got past Gor’s defence and squared the ball to Chamberi who clinically finished past Onyango.

By NICK OLUOCH, The Standard

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.