Bhai dents Kageres scoring return, City thwart Rangers

Meddie Kagere made a scoring comeback to Kenya Premier League (KPL) with Gor Mahia who failed to put leaders Tusker FC under pressure by being forced to share a 1-1 stalemate with  Kakamega Homeboyz at Moi Stadium in Kisumu on Sunday.

Elsewhere, relegation threatened Nairobi City Stars forced Posta Rangers to a barren stalemate to compound the latter’s limp start to the second leg of the KPL.

In Kisumu, Kagere, the Ugandan-born former Rwanda international notched the opener in the 13th minute after tapping in George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo’s delivery in the box in a move initiated by Francis Kahata.

It was his 14th for Gor in all competitions but he did not celebrate a winning return after Ali Bhai struck late on, seven minutes from time to deny K’Ogalo the maximum points and a chance to take over at the top albeit for two hours as Tusker travelled to Ulinzi Stars later on Sunday.

Homeboyz found trouble in marking the striking duo of Kagere and Rwanda captain Jacques Tuyisenge, with Innocent Wafula, Odhiambo and Kahata peppered the visitor’s box with deliveries for the forwards to aim for the target.

But it was not all Gor. Athman Buki thought he had cancelled the champions lead in the 20th with a powerful header but the effort was ruled offside.

Gor’s revelation Eric ‘Marcello’ Ouma was booked five minutes later for a high boot on Bhai, as the visitors grew into the match.

A minute past half the hour mark, Wafula found Tuyisenge in the box and the striker went down after contact with Charles Momanyi but his pleas for a penalty were dismissed.

Hardworking Homeboyz striker Andrew Muruga forced Gor’s keeper Boniface Oluoch to a full stretch save, after tearing through K’Ogalo’s defence in the 40th with resultant corner easily saved and three minutes later Murunga should have done better with the custodian off his line.

Gor almost doubled their lead just before the break when Wafula found Tuyisenge in the box but the leading scorer skewed wide.

Andrew Kulecho and Meshack Karani came on for Abbas Akiyemi and Murunga for the Homeboyz  as Earnest Wendo went off for Amos Nondi for Gor after the break.

The visitors pressed on and came within inches of tying the match when David Odhiambo shot flew past the wrong side of the right post.

Moses Mudavadi was next up for Homeboyz after he broke free of Harun Shakava in the 68th but fired tamely to the grateful Oluoch’s hands.

Coach Marcello ‘Ze Maria’ Ferreira  then introduced Baron Oketch for the goal scorer Kagere, before withdrawing Wafula for Collins Okoth.

Kahata then called Wanyika into action in the 80th with a shot from outside the box as the clock ticked towards full time but Gor were made to pay for failing to close out the game when Homeboyz finally got their reward.

With three minutes to the 90, Mudavadi floated a delightful long ball from midfield that found Bhai unmarked and on this occasion, fashioned a crisp finish past the diving Oluoch.

The champions could not respond even with five minutes of time added on but the draw was enough to move them up to second ahead of Mathare United on goal difference on 30 points with battling Homeboyz (22) in ninth.

The clash between Rangers, the surprise team of the first leg and City Stars ended 0-0 with Jimmy Bageya and Simon Mbugua trading yellow cards after coming together in the notable incident of the match.

Ranger (26) remained fifth and City 15th (12) as they moved five clear of basement side Sofapaka.