STILL NO WIN FOR K’OGALO: Gor Mahia held by City Stars as Rangers lose unbeaten run
Football
By
Gilbert Wandera
| Mar 13, 2016
Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia’s search for their first win of the season will continue after being held to a 2-2 by Nairobi City Stars at the Nyayo National Stadium yesterday.
Before the match, anticipation was high that the champions, who won the trophy last season with an unbeaten run, would win their first match of the season.
However, the fans left disappointed after Joel Tata scored the equaliser at the hour mark after George Odhiambo had scored a brace for Gor Mahia.
It now means the league champions have four points out of a possible 15 and have scored only three goals. They have drawn four of the opening five matches and lost one, which was to arch-rivals AFC Leopards last Sunday.
City Stars scored first after Jimmy Bagaye netted the opener in the 41st minute after a good run, but Jerim Onyango in goal for Gor Mahia will also be disappointed to have been beaten at his near post.
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As expected there were running battles after the match as police officers dispersed the disappointed fans who called for the resignation of club chair, Ambrose Rachier.
City Stars who were also looking for their first win of the season, looked really motivated going into the match as they now have the title winning Gor Mahia assistant coach Bobby Ogalla leading their technical bench.
Bagaye tested Onyango early on with a 25 yard shot after being put through by Daniel Otieno.
Then Enoch Agwanda made a good run on the left flank and found Odhiambo, but the latter hesitated and the chance was lost. Agwanda had another goal-bound shot going wide as Gor Mahia tried to settle in the match.
Elsewhere, Kakamega Homeboyz came from behind to end Posta Rangers’ unbeaten start with an impressive 2-1 victory at the Mumias Sports Complex.
After a goalless first half, it is the Mailmen who broke the deadlock on the hour mark when Homeboyz defender Sunday Mutuku scored in his own net while trying to clear the danger.
However, their celebrations were short-lived as midfielder Ali Bai capitalised on the visitors’ defensive lapse in the 70th minute to restore parity. This was just moments after the former Bandari man had forced a fine save from Rangers goalkeeper Ian Otieno.
At Afraha 2010 champions Ulinzi Stars were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Western Stima while Muhoroni Youth piled more misery on rock-bottom Sony Sugar after beating their hosts 1-0 in Awendo.
Daniel Waweru came off the bench to cancel out Baron Oketch’s opener and secure a vital point for the Soldiers.
Both teams shared possession and created scoring chances in the first half but lacked efficiency in the final third with their strikers firing blanks.
Ulinzi striker John Makwatta had two free-kicks in succession before the first quarter of the game, but wasted both of them.
In Awendo, Moses Arita returned to haunt his former employers with last gasp winner.