CHEMELIL HOLD GOR IN KISUMU: KPL champs open title defence with dour draw

GOR MAHIA VS CHEMELIL Gor mahia's Owino Ronald (right) and Alwande Samwel of Chemeil sugar FC during Sport Pesa premier league at Moi Stadium Kisumu on February 17 2016. The two teams drew 0-0. PIC BY COLLINS ODUOR

Sportpesa Premier League Champions Gor Mahia opened their title defence with a barren draw with Chemelil Sugar in Moi Stadium, Kisumu.

The match failed to impress the fans, who in recent past have been accustomed to entertaining display by the ‘Green Army’. But with murmurs of boardroom wars and the current shenanigans surrounding Gor, the going proved topsy turvy under sweltering heat yesterday.

First, Gor Mahia head coach Frank Nuttall is reported to have been detained at Serena Hotel, Nairobi, over unpaid bills amounting to Sh293,000 and was left behind by the team who arrived in Kisumu on Tuesday.

It took the intervention of the fans and the noise made on social media to finally push the management to free Nuttall. Two weeks ago, the team’s management had sent the Scot packing but later came back after fans put pressure on the club officials.

Then there was the attack on management by angry fans after the team lost to CNaPS of Madagascar in a CAF Champions League match at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.

Club chairman Ambrose Rachier was conspicuously missing at yesterday’s match. Gor had hoped to put behind their troubles, but this did not materialise as they encountered a spirited Chemelil Sugar.

Nuttall had also hoped to inject new blood in the team as he handed Francis Kahata his debut, putting him at the center of the field.

The tactician also replaced goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch with club captain Jerim Onyango, who was on the bench for the better part of last season. Oluoch is said to have had an altercation with the head coach in the dressing room after their loss to CNaPS and this may have played a role in his sitting on the bench.

The last change Nuttal made from the team that lost to CNaPS was Ronald Omino who started alongside Enock Agwanda Edmond Murai was also handed his debut.

For Chemelil, new signing Samuel Odhiambo started in goal while Denis Okangi at the fore front of the attack as Francis Baraza’s men held the defending champions.

Gor Mahia started well with Kahata dictating terms in midfield, setting up Agwanda to test Odhiambo in goal.
Kahata also teed up Omino who saw his header to go wide.

Chemelil pegged back Gor Mahia with defenders Harun Shakava, Musa Muhammed and Abouba Sibomana doing well to protect Onyango as the sugar millers peppered K’Ogalo goal with five attempts.

Hillary Echesa saw his 17th minute free kick go wide. Chemelil coach Francis Baraza made changes in the second half, bringing in Apollo Onyango for Onkangi in the 55th minute.

In the 67th minute Nuttall also made a double substitution with Keli and Eric Ochieng coming on for Agwanda and Omino. The defending champs could not, however, bring the changes to bear.