Saturday afternoon’s game against Nzoia Sugar presented a unique situation for the record premier league champions Gor Mahia. A clash of heads between Ernest Wendo and Nzoia’s Stephen Otieno in the 80th minute saw the duo taken off the grounds aboard two ambulances, a scenario that left the home side holding on to their slim 1-0 advantage.“It was a tough ending to the game as we had to fight with 10 men,” Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry said after the game. “I know some of our supporters wondered why we didn’t make our substitution. The reason is that we had already used up our three windows to make changes and so we had none left.”Kenya Police FC is interested in signing Gor Mahia duo of Ernest Wendo and Philemon Otieno.Wendo, one of Gor’s longest-serving players has terminated his contract with the club while Otieno’s contract has elapsed.KCB is said to be interested in Wendo as well.#KETransfers pic.twitter.com/JcFcMxh011— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) January 8, 2022 Given their one-man advantage in the remaining 10 minutes of regular time, Nzoia Sugar made countable inroads into the Gor Mahia box, with a would-be late equalizer from Moses Mwale being chalked off for offside.With the game set to go on for eight more minutes in added time, a strapped Wendo reappeared from the stands with a team medic in tow, as they headed to the Gor Mahia bench.“When Wendo reappeared and said that he was ready to go back and fight for his team, and with the doctor’s advice to do so, we let him in,” McKinstry said.##NAJAVA_MECA_6824770##His reinstatement into the game was met with loud applause from the present fans at the Nyayo National Stadium, less so than those that came after the final whistle, marking an opening day 1-0 victory for Gor Mahia.What really happened?“I think I have to break the sort of ‘mythical bubble’ around, Wendo didn’t actually go to any hospital, the ambulance didn’t leave the stadium,” McKinstry clarified. “It was a deep cut in his head that the medical team sorted out at the moment with some stitches and strapping up to avoid the bleeding.”Top on McKinstry’s head was to make sure that there were no signs of concussions detected by the medical team before putting him back into the action.Good luckCavin Odongo watches as Ernest Wendo dribbles away during a 2018 league match pitting Gor Mahia and Posta Rangers.#footke pic.twitter.com/RrMsV8lnXW— Footballers Of Our Time (@TransferMarktEA) April 17, 2021 “We checked with the doctors for sure. My question was ‘did he lose consciousness’? The answer was no. He was always conscious and there wasn’t any sign attributing to a concussion. The medical personnel did their checks and made sure that he was okay.”Hailing the ever-present midfielder for his ‘lion hearted attitude’, McKinstry on Sunday afternoon assured the fans of his (Wendo) availability in the next game.“Wendo did his recovery session in the morning, he is fine and should be available for selection on Saturday,” Gor Mahia’s coach concluded.Gor Mahia are scheduled to take on Bidco United in Thika Stadium for the Premier League Week Two weekend fixtures.
