Leopards, Ulinzi clash aborts as Tuyisenge inspires Gor

The SportPesa Premier League (SPL) clash of the titans between AFC Leopards and Ulinzi Stars in Mumias was called off due to crowd trouble as Rwanda captain Jacques Tuyisenge struck once again to lift champions Gor Mahia against stubborn rivals Sony Sugar in a 1-0 victory on Saturday.

In Mumias, referee Andrew Juma had to stop the tempestuous match prematurely after chaos erupted on the stands when an Ingwe steward stormed into the stadium protesting an 85th minute penalty awarded to Ulinzi following Cresten Manzo’s foul on Churchill Muloma.

The intruder was forcefully ejected by police prompting the fans to start throwing objects into the pitch when John Makwatta stepped up to take the spot kick. Officials unanimously agreed to call off the match at 1-1 after a standoff lasted over 20 minutes.

Both sides had scored from the spot with Kepha Aswani converting for Ingwe and Makwatta for the Soldiers but the incident was the second shameful act of hooliganism in the SPL in as many weeks.

Last Sunday, the game between champions Gor Mahia and Tusker FC was held up for over 15 minutes as K’Ogalo fans protested against the award of a penalty by pelting the pitch with missiles in a 1-0 defeat with the assistant referee, Dan Mwangi assaulted after the match.

At Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium, Gor, the record 15-time champions got one over their bogey side from South Nyanza havingnot scored against the team colloquially known as ‘Gor B’ since April 2013. Victory moved K’Ogalo to 14 points after ten games.

Earlier at the same venue, bottom side and 2009 champions Sofapaka breathed life into their horrid campaign by beating Nairobi City Stars 1-0 with Barnabas Tiema netting the winning strike that sent John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla’s Kawangware-based side crashing to their third straight defeat.

Bandari FC’s travel sickness continued as hosts Western Stima thumped Twahir Muhidin’s side 2-0 at Kisumu’s Moi Stadium where Fredrick Nyarombo and Baraon Oketch found the back of the net for the winners.

Thika United succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Kakamega Homeboyz while Hillary Echesa claimed the winner as Chemelil Sugar downed Ushuru 1-0 in Awasi.

-Gor revival-

After the painful defeat to the Brewers courtesy of a debatable penalty, Gor needed to bounce back and the pivotal moment of the game came when Karim Nizigiyamana crossed to the box and George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo killed the ball before laying up for Tuyisenge to fire home the winner.

Ze Maria made four changes to his side that started with a characteristic zeal  but Sony’s head coach Salim Babu packed the bus in defence to restrict the champions in the hope of hitting them on the break.

Bernard Odhiambo took Harun Shakava’s place in the defense, Eric Ochieng started in favor of Francis Kahata in the midfield, while returning Khalid Aucho and Tuyisenge replaced Collins Okoth and Earnest Wendo.

In the first half, Tuyisenge was the threat to the Sugar Millers, occasionally testing keeper Timothy Odhiambo who was part of the national Under 20 side that was banned by CAF for age cheating as he took the place of Allan Owiny who was relegated to bench.

In the 16 minute, Abouba Sibomana fed his compatriot Tuyisenge on the left to race past Hamidu Kwizera before floating a loose ball into the box that Ronald Omino rose high to connect, but Odhiambo got to the ball first.

The millers responded immediately, Daniel Ochieng forcing K’Ogalo custodian Boniface Oluoch to stretch fully when he planted his head to a Nicholus Akoko’s free kick with his effort almost ghosting in the far post.

Tuyisenge should have made it 1-0 in the 30th, connecting Sibomana’s high ball cross with a powerful header beating keeper Odhiambo only for the ball to clear the bar by inches.

Just before the break, Godfrey Walusimbi was wide off-target in a one-on -one with Odhiambo after robbing the ball from the unsuspecting Charles Bruno just outside the box.

Just after the restart, Ze Maria brought on Eric Ouma ‘Marcelo’ Otieno for Sibomana and he almost made an instant impact when the Kakamega High School alumnus adding speed to the left flank.

In the 84th the much-maligned striker, Jacob Keli has a goal disallowed by referee Davis Omweno for handling the ball before pulling the trigger as his frustrations at K’Ogalo continued.

The stage was then set for Tuyisenge to emerge the hero when he scored three minutes from time.