By GILBERT WANDERA
Tusker have a leg in the final of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Top 8 tournament after stopping Gor Mahia 1-0 on Wednesday night but the match was marred by an off the pitch incident between the Gor coach and one of his players.
Gor Mahia midfielder Moses Otieno was left in tears after a sharp rebuke from coach Zradvko Logarusic for delaying to avail himself to be substituted in an incident that left many fans upset by the Croat.
Logarusic explained later that the player was just ‘emotional’ and insisted his decision to keep out the player from the starting line-up even after he was named to start was a strategic move.
“Otieno was in the starting line-up but when it rained we had to look for a player who can adapt to such conditions.
However, when it was time for him to come on, he took very long and when I spoke to him, he was very emotional and started crying,” Logarusic said afterwards.
On the pitch, Logarusic opted to rest his regular players in anticipation for Sunday’s derby against AFC Leopards, but the move appears to have cost his side victory.
Tusker dominated matters especially in midfield and deserved to come out winners courtesy of a Robert Omunik goal in the 40th minute after heading home a corner kick by Andrew Tololwa.
Gor Mahia goalkeeper Ivo Mapunda was a busy man throughout the match and he was forced to make the first save from a Jesse Were low shot, which resulted in an early corner for the brewers.
At the quarter-hour mark, Mapunda was again forced to punch out Tololwa’s goal bound shot for the second corner inside the first quarter of the match.
Then Khalid Aucho tested Mapunda with a free kick just outside the Gor box awarded after under pressure Anthony Gathu handled the ball.
After that, Gor had had enough and they appeared to take over proceedings from then on as they enjoyed possession but were never really dangerous against the brewers.
Tusker were up again as the first half proceeded towards the end and their numerous attempts won them set-pieces near the Gor goal.
When they won a 40th minute the Gor defence seemed to have left many Tusker men unmarked allowing the tiny Omunik to beat Mapunda with a fine header for the only goal of the match.
At the beginning of the second half, Gor keen to win the midfield battle brought on board experienced Moses Odhiambo for Yusuf Juma and matters were a bit stable for them as the front men got more balls.
However it was the introduction of speedy striker Edwin Lavatsa that produced real change for Gor as he created some chances towards the end of the match, but it was too late.
Speaking after the match, Tusker coach Robert Matano said he was delighted that his boys took their chances to ensure they got victory over Gor.
