Nineteen-time Kenyan champions’ win-less streak extended to four matches after a spirited Nzoia Sugar clawed back in the second half to force a deserved 1-1 draw in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League showdown staged at Sudi stadium on Wednesday evening. Once upon a time Kenya’s Most Valuable Player George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo drew the first blood for K’Ogalo but Nzoia Sugar fought back with zeal and purpose earning an important point after exciting forward James Kibande scored a screamer to even out the game.Both clubs were in a bit of turmoil heading into the fixture, Nzoia Sugar without a coach after Ibrahim Shikanda’s haphazard exit last week while Gor Mahia were reeling from multiple maladies. The win, a first in three futile attempts that saw K’Ogalo post rare back to back loses in the last decade, placated growing concerns at the club as money crisis deepened, the dressing exploded with several boycotts and continued absence of head coach Mark Harrison. It was the latter who profited first after making the most of a first penalty awarded to them in more than fifty league games. Gor Mahia went to Sudi fired up from recent criticism. The starting line up reflecting recent upheavals in the dressing room with star forwards Jules Ulimwengu and Benson Omala all missing leaving the Sando Yangayay to spearhead the attack flanked by Blackberry and Boniface Omondi at the tip of a 4-3-3 formation. Erstwhile right back Philemon Otieno was deployed in midfield to shield the defence with Dennis Ng’ang’a who had been transitioning into a center back returning to left back.K’Ogalo were relentless in the opening minutes forcing four corners in the opening ten minutes but non of the in-swingers yielded any goals. They pummeled Nzoia Sugar from both flanks and forced their hosts rearguards into desperate clearances until Nzoia could no not withstand it. No longer able to cope with the torrent of attacks in their penalty box Nzoia central midfielder Kevin Juma upended Gor Mahia’s attacking import Sando Yangayay in a tackle adjudged to be illegal. Rejuvenated Blackberry stepped up and sent Benson Mangala the wrong way to give K’Ogalo the lead.Falling behind left Nzoia no choice but to go hunting for a leveler. Collins Wakhungu and James Kibande slowly got in the grove, causing trouble to Gor Mahia’s rejigged back-line. The visitors now with tails up defended gallantly and carried their lead into halftime. Nzoia returned from the break more spirited after an impressive spell towards the end of first 45 minutes. With Wakungu increasingly tormenting K’Ogalo’s rearguard stand-in coach Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo rested Sando Yangayay for Peter Lwasa but it was the hosts who increased their tempo.They were rewarded in the 58th minute when the impressive Kibande pounced on a lose ball outside Gor Mahia’s penalty box and let fly a rasping shot that left Adama Keita mesmerized. Nzoia’s celebration was modest as they quickly urged restart, confident of getting on the scoresheet once more to claim all points.Nzoia Sugar39) B. Mangala (GK), 27) K. Maliachi, 29) V. Mahiga, 17) E Esekon, 28) R. Bakari, 13) K. Juma, 6) B. Munyendo, 21) J. Mwangi, 25) C. Wakhungu, 11) L. Okello, 18) J. KibandeSubs15) H. Katasi, 5) I. Karani, 33) B. Mohammed, 12) D. Wafula, 24) I. Simiyu, 10) H. Beja, 7) E. Wekesa, 9) T. Kapchanga.Gor MahiaAdama Keita (GK), Dennis Ng’ang’a, Frank Odhiambo, Harun Shakava, Yusuf Mainge, Philemon Otieno, Alpha Onyango, Austin Odhiambo, George Odhiambo, Boniface Omondi, Sando YangayaySubsGad Mathews (GK), Joshua, Victor, Sydney, Macharia, Lwasa, Nyawir
