CROWD TROUBLE IN MUMIAS: AFC Leopards match against Ulinzi abandoned as Tuyisenge rescues Gor

GOr Mahia George Odhiambo with the ball(r) as Sony Charles Bruno(l) when they played at Nyayo stadium, on 23/04/16. Scored 1-0. PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE

Rwandese import Jacques Tuyisenge was once again the hero, saving Gor Mahia blushes with a last gasp strike in the 1-0 win for the champions against Sony Sugar yesterday at the Nyayo National Stadium.

In other Kenyan Premier League matches yesterday Kakamega Homeboyz beat Thika United 2-1 at Mumias Complex an earlier match.

The second match at the same venue between AFC Leopards and Ulinzi was abandoned with 10 minutes remaining due to crowd trouble.

AFC Leopards fans were protesting against a penalty that was awarded to Ulinzi even though replays clearly showed that Leopards defender Cresten Muanzo had hacked down Ulinzi’s Churchil Muloma in the box.

By the time the match was called off the teams were locked at 1-1. Kepher Aswani had scored a penalty for AFC before John Makwata replied for the soldiers also from the spot.

Makwata had stepped up to take a second penalty but the Leopards fans could not allow the spot kick to be taken.

At one time, a scout had to be restrained by players as he charged towards referee Juma. Juma was then forced to call off the tie due to inadequate security.

In the second match of the day at Nyayo Stadium, strugglers Sofapaka beat Nairobi City Stars 1-0

In Chemelil, hosts Chemelil Sugar returned to winning ways after two consecutive losses as they edged out Ushuru 1-0 while Bandari was electrocuted 2-0 by Western Stima at Kisumu Stadium.

Frederick Nyarombo and Baron Jobita were on target for Stima while veteran Hillary Echesa scored Chemelil’s all-important goal against Ushuru.

Jeremoah Wanjala and Andrew Murunga scored for Homeboyz while Ray Omondi was on target for Thika United.

At Nyayo Stadium, after a fruitless first half, the breakthrough finally came in the 87th minute when Tuyisenge fired home a super finish from George Odhiambo’s cross to take his goal tally to four.

The match was characterised by some protests from a section of the home fans who questioned head coach Jose Marcelo’s decision to substitute Geoffrey Walusimbi for Francis Kahata in the second half.

However, in interview with Feverpitch, a relieved Marcelo said fans are entitled to their own opinions on who should be substituted and who shouldn’t, but insisted that he makes the final decision.

“We dominated the match, but I believe we can play much better than this. But the important thing is that we got the three points,” said Marcelo.

“I have 24 players and I have to use all of them. I respect the fans, but they have to know I am the coach and I know my players better than they do. I have to organise the team.”

Commenting on Tuyisenge’s impact the Brazilian said: “Of course he is a very important player to us. We need him, but for him to score goals he also needs the team.”

— Reports by Rodgers Eshitemi, Philip Orwa and Bosco Magare