Top guns Gor, Tusker held Taxmen frustrate champions K'Ogalo as brewers drop points at the death

Ushuru FC's Rodgers Ochieng', left, shield ball from Jacques Tuyisenge of Gor Mahia during KPL Match at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, July 17, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Ushuru at Nyayo Stadium as veteran Chemelil Sugar midfielder Hillary Echesa’s last gasp strike denied Tusker all three points, in Sunday’s dramatic 2-2 draw, at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.

The results saw Tusker extend their stay at the top of the table, taking their points tally to 36, five points ahead of Gor Mahia, who leapfrogged Mathare United into the second spot courtesy of a better goal difference.

“With Tusker having drawn, that was not a good result for us. We jus lost an opportunity to narrow gap at the top. We must win our next matches. We still have 12 games to play, so five points is nothing but I am a bit worried because we are also playing against the referees. We still have 12 games to play, so five points is nothing,” said a disappointed Gor coach Jose Marcelo told Feverpitch.

But for his Ushuru counterpart Ken Kenyatta, a draw was a fair result for both teams.

“We got many chances, but we didn’t score. Football is game of mistakes, but need to try and minimize them. It’s a plus to get a point from a big team like Gor. All the same, it was a fair result,” said Kenyatta.

Man of the match Lamine Diallo had a chance to put Ushuru ahead in the 17th minute after dispossessing Musa Mohammed on the right, but instead of shooting the former AFC striker opted to deliver a cross that went over the bar.

Ushuru continued raiding Gor backline with Kennedy Oduor forcing a fine save from an impressive Gor Mahia shot-stopper Bonface Oluoch.

Diallo then weaved through Gor defence in the box, but Oluoch did well again to parry away his effort in the box for a fruitless corner.

In the 23rd minute Philemon Otieno cleared Karim Nizigiyimana’s dangerous cross from the right flank for a corner before Meddie Kagere’s header from Amos Nondi’s corner kick went wide as good defending from the taxmen denied the champions another goal scoring opportunity.

A few minutes later, Rwandese forward Jacques Tuyisenge saw his shot in the box deflected into the side netting.

Ushuru responded immediately, but Oluoch denied Aziz Okaka an opener. Gor could have gone into the lockers leading but there was no green shirt in the box to tap in Eric Ouma’s cross in the face of Ushuru goal.

Gor coach Jose Marcelo made changes before restart, bringing on Baron Oketch for George Odhiambo as Eric Mata paved way for Roosevelt Blatty on the Ushuru side.

In the 55th minute, Nondi’s long range effort was easily gathered by Ushuru custodian Shaban Odhoji before his opposite number Bonface Oluoch came off his line to pull off a fantastic save from Diallo’s shot.

Ushuru defender Jackton Onjala then made a brilliant block in the 76th minute, stopping Ouma’s inviting cross from the left flank as Gor intensified their attack.

In the last quarter of the game, Gor tried to adopt a counter attacking approach, raiding Ushuru’s defence minute after minute but the hosts managed to contain them.

Kagere could have snatched the winning goal for K’ogalo in the injury time, but a wonderful reflex save by Odhoji kept him at bay again.

In Machakos, Chemelil Sugar rallied twice from behind to hold ten time Kenyan Premier League champions Tusker to a 2-2 draw in a pulsating match, at the Kenyatta Stadium.

Lanky defender Lloyd Wahome broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime with a powerful header before Wilson Ouma levelled matters in the 80th minute with a well curved effort from the right flank that flew past Tusker goalkeeper David Okello into the net.

Substitute Allan Wanga announced his return at Tusker, heading home a Noah Wafula’s corner kick in the 91st minute but his celebrations were cut short by veteran Hilary Echesa equaliser on restart.

The well-travelled midfielder pounced on lose ball in the box to beat the opposing goalkeeper and deny his former employers the maximum points.

[email protected]