Gor, Tusker share the spoils in exciting barren stalemate

Tusker halted Gor Mahia’s 100 percent run in the current league campaign by fighting to a barren draw, under scorching conditions, at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos on Wednesday afternoon.

It was largely an exciting end-to-end affair, which Tusker, the 11-time champs,  could have won after Timothy Otieno goal in the 90th minute was ruled for offside.

A minute of silence was observed in honour of fallen former Harambee Stars and Gor winger Ben ‘Breakdance’ Oloo, before the start of the match with both teams seeking early goals.

Gor’s coach Dylan Kerr continued his rotational policy, handing Lawrence Juma, Eric Lukwam, Charles Momanyi, Joachim Oluoch and Cercidy Okeyo starts.

At the quarter-hour mark, Tusker’s Collins Shivachi headed the ball out to deny Ivorian Ephrem Guikan, the man handed the central forward role in the absence of Jacques Tuyisenge and Meddie Kagere.

Five minutes later, Eliud Lokwam, making his debut start for Gor in the league, wasted an open chance after a quick turn in the box only to shoot wide, with the goalkeeper off his place.

In the 25th, Odhiambo released Guikan in the six-yard box only to lose his footing before he could pull the trigger, allowing goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng to clear.

Tusker responded with Achema sumptuously connecting immediate former Gor striker Timothy Otieno, an effort that was thwarted by an industrious captain Harun Shakava.

In the 29th, Guikan’s grass cutter missed narrowly with Ochieng beaten, followed by another miss on the opposite end by Achema, set up by Hashim Sempala.

Two minutes to the break, Otieno rose high above his markers– Shakava and Charles Momanyi, only to head slightly over the crossbar, sealing a barren first stanza.

Tusker were the first to execute substitution with Achema making way for Matthew Odongo, 10 minutes into the second stanza, prompting Kerr to react immediately, withdrawing a pale Innocent Wafula for speedy Kelvin Omondi.

With little signs of a breakthrough on both sides by the 70th minute, Gor threw into the fray experienced Meddie Kagere for rookie Lokwam, while Tusker’s Sam Timbe sent in Jackson Macharoa, resting Asembeka.

Kagere had an instant impact, setting up Guikan who could not beat Ochieng in a one-on-one situation, before rattling the crossbar in the resultant rebound. Ochieng was already fumbling on the ground, having rescued his team the closest scare.

With minutes on the clock, Momanyi had to clear off the line to keep K’Ogalo in the match, after Timothy Otieno beat Oluoch easily with a loose header.

The end was however dark, with Gor losing Guikan to a dangerous concussion after an aerial challenge in Tusker’s goalmouth.

He had to be rushed to the hospital leaving the teams to battle fruitlessly in the three minutes of added time.

Report by Jacob Icia Douglas Mutiso