Oliech makes Gor bow in battling draw against Mathare

Dennis ‘The Menace’ Oliech made his much hyped return to the Kenyan Premier League scene on Sunday afternoon coming on as a second half substitute in the 67th minute, replacing Nicholas Kipkirui as Gor Mahia battled Mathare United to a 1-1 draw at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Ironically, since Oliech departed the local league scene more than 15 years ago, it was Mathare which he turned out for, and on this particular bright afternoon, he lined up against them, donning the jersey number 14, made so famous worldwide by former French great Thierry Henry during his colourful Arsenal stint.

His return to the local scene, particularly for Gor Mahia, has excited crowds and this was palpable in the build-up to this clash and on match day when the hundreds of K’Ogalo fans, who turned up at the imposing Kenya’s sports cathedral gave him a befitting welcome.

Though now advanced in age, a complete opposite when he burst into the league as a teenager with searing pace, ‘The Menace’ as he is fondly known still exuded the touch that made defenders fear him, making contributions in the game with deft crosses in the Mathare box.

Coach Hassan Oktay has elected to sign him to add bite and pace in Gor’s attack and as to whether the script will go as plan remains to be seen.

K’Ogalo on this day raced to the lead in the 34th minute when Mathare goalie Allan Owiny brought down Gor’s Lawrence Juma in the box and Jacques Tuyisenge stepped up to slot in with relative ease, driving Owiny the wrong way.

Gor came close again with a minute to the breather but striker Nicholas Kipkirui fluffed his chance.

Eleven minutes after the breather, Mathare drew level, also from the box, the 2011 KPL Player of the Year Kevin Kimani fiercely rifling in a penalty awarded after James Situma had been hacked in the box.

“We created chances but lost several which we couldn’t convert, and one point is not good enough for us,”Gor coach Oktay lamented after the match.

“We must start to win the matches,”he said. On Oliech,  he noted: “We tried to improve his fitness level. He is the striker we need in terms of experience and skill.”

Oliech, after professional stints in Qatar with Al-Arabi, and FC Nantes, AC Ajaccio and Auxerre – all in France, will be aiming to regain his best form and probably gate-crush into the Kenyan squad for this years African Cup of Nations finals in June.

With the point earned, Mathare retained the leadership of the log on 14 points, while Gor are now on 7.

Elsewhere, at the Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa, Bandari dimmed Sony Sugar 2-1, while at the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega, visiting Posta Rangers beat Kakamega Homeboyz 1-0, Ken Mutemebi scoring the all-important goal.

Mathare United XI:

6. Allan Owiny (GK) 16.David Owino 28.James Situma 19.Johnstone Omurwa 12.Andrew Juma 22.Roy Okal 29.Chrispin Oduor (C) 11.Cliff Nyakeya 17.James Kinyanjui 7.Kevin Kimani 21.Clifford Alwanga

Subs

1.David Okello (GK) 20.Martin Ongori 8.Alphonce Ndonye 5. Francis Omondi 27.Tyson Otieno 2.Daniel Mwaura 9. Chris Ochieng’

Gor Mahia XI:

Fredrick Odhiambo (GK), Philemon Otieno, Joash Onyango, Harun Shakava, Shafick Batambuze, Ernest Wendo, Francis Kahata, Nicholas Kipkirui, Boniface Omondi, Lawrence Juma, Jacques Tuyisenge.

Substitutes

: Shaban Odhoji, Erisa Ssekisambu, Dennis Oliech, Pascal Ogweno, Geoffrey Ochieng, Samuel Onyango, Kenneth Muguna.

Collated Results

Mathare United 1-1 Gor Mahia

Bandari 2-1 Sony Sugar

Kakamega Homeboyz 0-1 Posta Rangers

Kariobangi Sharks 1-1 KCB

Vihiga United 1-1 Mount Kenya United

Ulinzi Stars 0-0 Zoo Kericho