Confusion, protests, fan trouble and heated exchanges marked the final minutes of the Football Kenya Federation Premier League match pitting defending champions Tusker and Gor Mahia at Thika Stadium on Saturday evening. Trouble began when second half substitute Jackson Macharia kissed the back of the net in the dying minutes of the game triggering protests from the Gor players who petitioned centre referee Anthony Ogwayo to chalk it off for a foul on Gad Mathews.Ogwayo, a celebrated FIFA whistler had pointed to the centre an indication that the goal was legitimate but Gor players milled around him and his assistants in search for justice to their injured custodian who was writhing down in pain.The protests spilled to the stands as the fans pelted water bottles and stones to the Tusker’s substitutes technical bench with the players having to take cover at the centre of the pitch.It took the intervention of officials from either sides to restore calm on the pitch upon which the ball was on Ogwayo court to make a decision.Surprisingly, he gave in to Gor’s demands sparking protests from Tusker players and officials who also demanded answers from the whistler.With the fans already into song and dance mood, Ogwayo settled the contest by blowing the final whistle and thus both teams settled for a point having played for a barren draw.A livid Tusker head coach Robert Matano tore into Ogwayo for falling into Gor’s antics as he appeared to suggest that the official should be relieved off his duties.”A referee should stand by his decision no matter what. It is unprofessional of him to change his mind just because the opponents protested. Such kind of referees should be banished from the game,” he roared.His Gor counterpart Andrea’s Spier steered clear of the fracas and decisions by the referee .Kick off was delayed for a couple of minutes as the ambulance on standby had to rush Posta Rangers right back Sammy Imbuye to the hospital after the defender picked an injury in the dying minutes of their game against Bidco United played at the same venue. Barely three minutes after centre referee Ogwayo blasted the first whistle, Gor were forced to a unwanted substitution as Sydney Ochieng was stretchered off with his place taken by Parmenas Ochola. The exit of Ochieng who surprisingly was partnering Joshua Mahero at the heart of the defence saw Gor revert to a three man defence with Philemon Otieno and Geoffrey Ochieng being redeployed to the centre. The brewers had also to tweak their line up before kick off following the unavailability of first choice left back Isaac Kipyegon who is unwell. The absence of the former Leopards captain left coach Matano with no choice other than to play Daniel Sakari, as a makeshift full back left. The club’s technical bench had also changes as coach Charles Okere who had been deputizing Matano since April 2018 returned for a second stint. The youthful tactician left the club in April last year after he was appointed the Harambee Starlets head coach. Tusker were expected to capitalize on Gor’s weak backline and poke as many holes as possible but struggled to bully their way in the final third where they were met with equal force. The Gor technical bench let out a huge sigh of relief in the 16th minute when Mahero went down unchallenged with his palms around his hamstring but was urged to carry on despite grimacing from time to time. Tusker who could not make their dominance count thought they had taken the lead in the 38th minute through Shaphan Siwa who was playing an advanced role drove the ball past the line but the offside flag ruled him offside. In a bid to break the Tusker wall, Gor made triple changes in the 66th minute with Sando Yangayay, Benson Omala and Austin Odhiambo coming in for Lwasa, Samuel Onyango and Boniface Omondi respectively. Matano also reacted by sending in Jackson Macharia, Lawrence Luvanda and John Njuguna for Oyugi, Stewart Omondi and Erick Zakayo. The changes threw the game into life as both teams began to show hunger for the three points but lack of precision in the final third saw both teams take home a point. Tusker XIPatrick Matasi, Kevin Monyi, Christopher Oruchum, Charles Momanyi, Apollo Otieno, Humphrey Mieno, Daniel Sakari, Shaphan Oyugi, Stewart Omondi, Ibrahim Joshua, Erick Zakayo SubstitutesBrian Bwire, Wellington Ochieng, Jackson Macharia, John Njuguna, Kalos Kirenge, David Majak, Clyde Senaji, Lawrence Luvanda, Rodgers Ouma Gor Mahia XIGad Mathews, Joshua Mahero, Geoffrey Ochieng, Philemon Otieno, John Ochieng, George Odhiambo, Samuel Onyango, Boniface Omondi, Peter Lwasa, Alpha Onyango, Sydney OchiengSubstitutes Caleb Otieno, Jules Ulimwengu, Peter Oudu, John Macharia, Benson Omala, Sando Yangayay, Austin Odhiambo
