Gor find Tusker too strong to sip as Bandari hold Ulinzi

By RODGERS ESHITEMI  and ERNEST NDUNDA

Gor Mahia failed to extend their lead at the top of the Kenyan Premier League after a 1-0 defeat to defending champions Tusker, in a thrilling clash at City Stadium, on Sunday.

Ismael Dunga scored from the spot on the hour mark to end ‘K’Ogalo’s’ 12-game unbeaten run after Musa Mohammed handled in the box.

The match started on a high note with the brewers dominating possession in the early exchanges. They could have taken the lead in the 5th minute, but Jesse Were’s strike went just over the bar.

As the match progressed, the hosts settled down and it was in the 30th minute that Kevin Omondi won a free-kick after being fouled by Fredrick Onyango on the edge of the box. However, Innocent Mutiso’s shot was easily picked up by Tusker custodian Boniface Oluoch.

Two minutes later, Gor keeper Jerim Onyango produced a fine save from Robert Omunuk’s surprise shot before Dan Sserenkuma’s effort on the left missed the target.

A few minutes to the break, on-form David Owino’s long range shot went wide for a 0-0 score at the breather. 

On resumption, both tacticians made a couple of changes, with Bob Williamson bringing in the duo of Paul Kiongera and Joseph Njuguna for Angelo Okumu and Eric Ochieng’, while injured Omunuk paved the way for Joshua Oyoo on the Tusker side.

In the 49th minute, Omondi failed to capitalise on Robert Matano men’s defensive blunder, sending a feeble shot straight to the keeper.

One minute later, Kiongera narrowly missed the target with a 20-yard free kick after Anthony Akumu was fouled by Onyango.

On the hour mark, Mohammed handed the ball in the area in an attempt to clear Were’s rebound for centre referee Raphael Nduati to award the visitors a penalty. Dunga made no mistake from the resulting penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way.

Gor piled more pressure on the Tusker defence searching for an equaliser, but fine saves by Oluoch kept the brewers in the game.

Sserenkuma’s two attempts in the 76th minute were saved by the former Harambee Stars custodian, who parried away a curved shot from the Ugandan at the edge of the box.

Following the win, Tusker are now tied on 35 points  with third-placed KCB and fifth-placed Thika United, nine points behind Gor.

Meanwhile, Bandari scored on the stroke of the final whistle to share the spoils 1-1 with Ulinzi in a Tusker Premier League match at Mbaraki Sports Club.

However, Ulinzi finished the match one man less after Ahmed Hassan was red-carded in the 90th minute after allegedly using foul  language against referee Isaac Ochieng’. But the  no-nonsense whistler also showed little mercy to Ulinzi coach Salim Ali by flashing a red-card at him for disrespecting his decision to add extra time.

Bandari went for serious business after the first whistle, with Tanzanian import David Naftali  missing two golden opportunities in the 19th and 21st minutes.

Erick Okoth could have surged the dockers ahead in the 24th minute with only the goalkeeper to beat but he shot off target.

The second half was balanced but the soldiers looked more aggressive than their opponents and it was in the 76th minute that Kevin Simiyu blasted home the most important goal from Oscar Wamalwa’s pass to silence the charged Bandari crowd.

Abbas Muhiddin resurrected Bandari’s hopes after he scored the equaliser as the clock ticked to ensure his side grabbed a point.

enzioka@standardmedia.co.ke, rokumu@standardmedia.co.ke