Bidco United will have to wait longer for their maiden Football Kenya Federation Premier League win over Gor Mahia after squandering their lead to settle for a 1-1 draw with the record Kenyan champions at Kasarani Stadium.Bidco were headed for their first win over the league giants since their promotion in 2020 but a late penalty by Samuel Onyango saw the two teams share points.The controversial penalty awarded by centre referee Nyabera Libese elicited an angry reaction from Bidco head coach Anthony Akhulia who accused him of showing bias to their opponents.”We were robbed! The referee gave Gor a dubious penalty that cost us the three points. It is unfortunate that he made the wrong call at a time when we were coasting to our first victory over Gor. We are hosting them this weekend where our plan will be getting maximum points for they are beatable,” he said.The Bidco backline had to be alert in the opening minutes of the game as Gor forwards particularly the duo of Boniface Omondi and Samuel Onyango threw everything at their goal in search for early goals. Bidco captain Francis Oduor denied Gor the clearest scoring chance in the 16th minute when he rose high to block Fred Nkata’s lobbed effort that had beaten goalkeeper Edwin Mukolwe who was few yards off the line. The visitors recovered from the nervous start and began eating into Gor dominance as well as forced Gad Mathews who was enjoying solid protection from the man mountainous centre backs into action. Bidco’s incessant search for the opener paid off in the 27th minute when Jacob Onyango reacted quickest to poke home a loose ball in the box after the defence failed to whip the ball out of the area. The goal gave them more impetus to intrude into the Gor area but indicisiveness and lack of cutting edge in the final third saw a handful of scoring chances go begging. Before restart, Harrison introduced Peter Lwasa for Jules Ulimwengu who was largely ineffective in the first half as his presence on the pitch was hardly felt. The change injected the much needed urgency and spark in the final third as Gor pinned Bidco into their box but could not sneak the ball past Mukolwe thanks to the mean backline. Austin Odhiambo nearly drew Gor level in the 68th minute after Lwasa’s back heeled the ball on his path but the former Leopards man shot straight to Mukolwe who was well exposed. Gor made their second change in the 71st minute where the weary Omondi paved way for John Nyawir. Few minutes later, Akhulia rested the quartet of Peter Anyona, Zachary Gathu, Alex Keke and Stephen Waruru for Eric Gichimu, Derrick Onyango, Batts Awita respectively. Bidco defended resolutely until Francis Oduor brought Samuel Onyango down with three minutes remaining on the clock forcing centre referee Nyabera Libese to point to the spot.Onyango would step up a minute later, sending Mukolwe to the wrong direction to draw Gor level. Bidco had to fend off intense pressure from Gor in the remaining minutes to take home the point.Gor Mahia XIGad Mathews, Dennis Ng’ang’a, Fred Nkata, Harun Shakava, Yusuf Mainge, Alpha Onyango, Philemon Otieno,Austin Odhiambo, Jules Ulimwengu, Samuel Onyango, Boniface OmondiSubstitutes Caleb Otieno, John Ochieng, Sydney Ochieng, Joshua Onyango, Peter Lwasa, John Nyawir, Victor AyugiHead coach:Mark Harrison Bidco United XIEdwin Mukolwe, David Kalama, Francis Oduor, Kassim Mwinyi, Lambert Oyuga, Peter Nzuki, Zachary Gathu, Jacob Onyango, Alex Juma, Stephen Waruru, Peter AnyonaSubstitutesBrian Opondo, Geoffrey Gitau, Anthony Simasi, Eric Gichimu, David Orem,Gabriel Wandera, Derrick Onyango, Batts AwitaHead coach:Anthony Akhulia
