10-man Gor hold USM Alger in CAF Confed Cup

Gor Mahia FC nicked their second point CAF Confederation Cup following their barren draw against USM Alger of Algeria at a soggy Kasarani Stadium turf on Wednesday.

The domestic giants played the last half hour of the match with a one man disadvantage after defender Joash Onyango was sent off for a second bookable offence but will feel aggravated by the scoreline having gone close thrice.

In a game devoid of clear cut chances, three of the best goal-scoring chances fell to Gor with George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo rifling his shot against the post from a tight angle after his initial headed effort had been pushed back to play.

Jacques Tuyisenge had another opportunity to put Gor in front but held on to the ball far too long it was robbed off his feet while Odhiambo had a second chance but opted to chest it down first when he should have headed it home first time.

The match had got off to a fast start with Gor goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch forced into his first save of the evening when he comfortably collected Mohammed Meftah’s fifth minute free kick before the same player shot over the bar moments later.

Francis Kahata, with falshes of classic moves in the midfield was a thorn in Algers flesh. He set up Ephrem Guikan in the ninth who was unable to beat keeper Mohammed Zemmamouche in the eighth.

Just before he forgot the scare, the Ivorian tested him again from a George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo cross, before Rwandese Jacques Tuyisenge missing to connect Kahata’s pass, his ‘police marker’ Mohammed Benyahya denying.

Guikan, starting in the place of injured, appeared to be the lucky man with almost every effort ending on his path, but the he was not lucky enough to convert them.

He was found by Kahata in the box with well looped ball, headed powerfully but Zemmamouche was unbeatable.

Odhiambo could have put K’Ogalo into the lead going to the break, only for his header tocleared for a corner by a hard working Zemmamouche.

Upon resumption, both sides showed more composure in knocking the ball around the soaky pitch, but it was Gor whose intent was more clearer.

Tuyisenge and Guikan had yet more half chances, as Algers appeared to hold K’Ogalo more in the mid lurking for quick counter attacks.

Onyango was then shown red after a second yellow card. He had seen the first yellow in the first half, but the pain of the second one was unbearable as he wept onnhis way out to the dressing room.

Interestingly, Gor grew more zealous after they were reduced to 10 men, forcing the visitors to their own half.

Tuyisenge, Guikan, and Odhiambo were pressing harder with Kahata doing the donkey work of creating.

In the 78th, Odhiambo rubbed the side netting with the keeper beaten, before Tuyisenge missing narrowly a while later after beating Hemza Koudri with Zemmamouche out of line.

With the clock ticking fast towards stoppage time, Gor coach Dylan Kerr withdrew Guikan for Cercidy Okeyo, seeking to strengthen the midfield.

The change meant only Tuyisenge was left to hunt for a late goal, with Odhiambo shadowing him though retreating in the mid to halt Algers build ups.