GOR DROP POINTS: Day of draws as K’Ogalo, Mathare are held in KPL matches

Gor Mahia's Jaques Tuyisenge and Goalkeeper Sofapaka FC Mathias Kigonya (left) of Sofapaka during KPL match at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, Sept 25, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Going into the match with telling pressure to close down on Tusker, Gor Mahia were forced to settle for a barren draw with Sofapka in a league clash at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.

It was a match with contrasting interests. Gor Mahia were looking for a win and reduce point deficit between them and Tusker, while Sofapaka were fighting for survival.

With just six minutes into the game, intentions of the defending champions were clear. A smart free-kick was looped into the box, which found Sofapaka defenders unawares, but Gor's striker Jacques Tuyisenge could not get the better side of goalkeeper Mathias Kigonya.

Gor pushed hard upfront and on the 13th minute, Karim Nizigiyimana combined well with striker Meddie Kagere, who was playing wide on the right. His neat cross was, however, cleared.

K'Ogalo were not done yet and maintained the high tempo inside the first 20 minutes. For Sofapaka, they were finding it hard to contain the pace, their team experience notwithstanding. The raids were coming fast. There was no breathing space. Gor were looking for the breakthrough, by all means.

Nizigiyima was no doubt outstanding for Gor as he showed his surging prowess and speed, which were at times capped with sublime passes. It was evident he was a thorn in Sofapaka's flesh. Picking a long ball from Kagere, the Burundian outpaced his marker, burst into the area and cut back a 45-degrees cross, only for Soafapaka custodian Kigonya to parry to safety.

Holding back and attacking cautiously, Sofapaka had their meaningful chance in the 30th minute when former Gor Mahia player Moses Odhiambo latched on a long pass and found himself with only Gor's custodian Boniface Olouch to beat. The Harambee Stars' player, however, fluffed as his shot went over the bar.

Tuyisenge would have pulled one back from the many chances he had, but he was not lucky in any of them.

At the final whistle, Sofapaka coach David Ouma seemed a happier tactician of the two.

"We worked hard and my boys followed instructions for us to achieve what I will say was a good result from a tough match," said Ouma.

Gor's head coach Marcelo 'Ze maria' Ferreira was furious with the results and walked away, ignoring the post-match interview.

"The best team got a draw and we are not giving up. We are still in the race. Coach walked away because maybe things did not go as he was expecting," said Gor Mahia assistant coach Tom Ogweno.

Earlier, Mathare United settled for a barren draw with Posta Rangers at the same venue.

The draw leaves Gor Mahia four points adrift league leaders Tusker, with just five matches to go.

 

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