Record Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) champions Gor Mahia were held to a barren draw by an impressive Ulinzi Stars at the Thika Sub County Stadium on Wednesday 3 November.Gor Mahia came into the clash brimming with confidence after four straight wins that left the joint top of the log alongside Bandari and Kakamega Homeboyz as they preserved their 100% record following wins of KCB, Sofapaka, AFC Leopards and Kariobangi Sharks.##NAJAVA_MECA_5949130##Ulinzi also evoked memories of their glory days after an unbeaten start to the season dropping points only to Bidco United after a 1-1 draw to Bidco United.Both teams had a cautious start to the game as they aimed to dominate possession in their own half as the midfield battle heated up with Gor Mahia having five in the middle of the pack as they opted for a 3-5-2 formation.It is K’Ogalo who however came close to breaking the deadlock in the 13th minute when John Macharia whipped in a corner that was met by a deft header by Benson Omala which required a smart save from James Saruni to keep the ball from rippling the back of the net.Jules Ulimwengu and Omala showed some telepathic understanding five minutes later when the Burundian played the ball wide to the former Western Stima forward who delivered a low cross that was prevented from getting to the feet of Ulimwengu by Saruni who came to the rescue of Ulinzi again.Mark Harrison’s charges were bombarding the Ulinzi goal mouth and came close again in the 26th minute when Yusuf Mainge floated in a cross to the far post that found an unmarked Philemon Otieno who had surged forward but the defender who was recently recalled back into the National Team set up could not guide his header on target.Ulinzi’s only chance of the half came five minutes to the halftime whistle when Hillary Simiyu released Omar Borafya on the left channel who fed Ibrahim Shambi in the box but his feeble shot presented easy pickings for Gad Mathews in goal as both teams went into the half time break locked in a barren draw.Gor Mahia resumed the second half with intent as Mainge delivered a cross that located Omala his glancing header narrowly missed the target.Gor Mahia’s bright start ti the second half fizzled off as both teams struggled to break down each other with few clear cut chances being created.Ulinzi came close in the 80th minute when Clinton Omondi whipped in a corner that somehow evaded everyone and found Oscar Wamalwa on the far post but the burly forward took time to sort out his feet with Shakava recovering to block his shot.Ulinzi could have plunderered all three points in the second minute of added time when Oscar Wamalwa crossed the ball to Masita Masuta who had the time to control the ball but his shot missed the target much to the relief of the raucous Gor Mahia faithful.Gor Mahia XI: Gad Mathews, Dennis Ng’ang’a, Harun Shakava, Frank Odhiambo, Philemon Otieno, Ernest Wendo, Yusuf Mainge, Austin Odhiambo (Peter Oudu 81′), John Macharia, Benson Omala (George Odhiambo 69′), Jules Ulimwengu (Boniface Omondi 89′).Subs: Boniface Oluoch, Fred Nkata, John Ochieng, Alpha Onyango, Yangayay Sando, Peter Lwasa.Ulinzi Stars XI: Saruni James, Brian Birgen, Harun Mwale, Bonventure Muchika, Kelvin Ouma, Bernard Ongoma, John Kago, Ibrahim Shambi (Masita Masuta 46′), Hillary Simiyu (Oscar Wamalwa 71), Omar Borafya (Enosh Ochieng 84′) , Clinton Omondi.Subs: Stephen Ochieng, Ezekiel Nyati, Vincent Ochieng, Boniface Onyango, Tindi Biko, Wilfred Njoroge.
