Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia ended their over three year wait for a league victory against Tusker as they picked a hard fought 2-1 victory over the reigning champions in a Wednesday afternoon clash staged at the Football Kenya Federation Premier League campaign.In the Round 15 clash that looked to be ending in a stalemate, in form striker Benson Omala stepped up from the penalty spot with five minutes remaining to seal all three points for his side after Tom Teka was adjudged to have handled in the area, a strike that piled more misery on Tusker who are now four matches without a win.FULL TIME at Kasarani. pic.twitter.com/Ny1xZZwY9h— 🏆Tusker FC (@tusker_fc) February 8, 2023 Prior to the winning goal, Sidney Ochieng’s first goal had been nullified by Shami Mwinyi’s early second half strike.The game got off to a frenetic start in the opening minutes with both sides keen to assert their dominance by taking command in the middle of the park.52: Rodgers is hacked down at the edge of the box, Shami steps up behind the freekick and curls beyond the keeper. (1-1) pic.twitter.com/oz5DIIROL8— 🏆Tusker FC (@tusker_fc) February 8, 2023 Despite looking energetic early on and promising an end to end affair, the encounter quickly slumped into a boring and clueless exchange as the two sides struggled to create anything meaningful in the danger zones, leaving the countable fans in the grounds with lazy yawns and occasional peeping on their phones.Save for an innocuous Charles Momanyi off target headed attempt that stemmed from one of Humprey Mieno’s inch perfect free kick deliveries, there was nothing essential to write home about in the opening twenty nine minutes.Alvin Mang’eni stars as Police take down City StarsOn the half hour mark though, that drab situation was quickly turned as Sidney, who had been the best player on the pitch by far in the opening proceedings, made an intelligent reaction run to pounce on a quickly taken free kick by Austin Odhiambo as the two combined to give Gor Mahia the lead.Closing in on goal, the former Tusker player rifled his shot in the top right corner to give Gor the lead against his former employers as Patrick Matasi only watched the ball hit the back of the net.Half TimeGor Mahia 1-0 Tusker.Sydney Ochieng’ by far the best player on the pitch and only fitting that he got the goal.A very boring half apart from his goal#FKFPL— Ochieng’ Stephen (@soo_ochieng) February 8, 2023 Trailing by a goal, Tusker who were already not creating enough chances were dealt a blow when the experienced Mieno had to be subbed off after picking an injury to his right leg just before the break, Shaphan Oyugi taking his place as Gor led into the breather.Upon the second half’s resumption, Robert Matano showed his desire to extend their impressive record against Gor as he made triple changes in bringing on Jackson Macharia, Ibrahim Joshua and Eric Zakayo in place of David Majak, Deogratius Ojok and Eric Mmata respectively.We will make three changes at the turn of the half.Majak, Ojok and Mmata are off for Ibrahim, Macharia and Zakayo.— 🏆Tusker FC (@tusker_fc) February 8, 2023 Those changes proved to be just what the doctor ordered as the trio imposed themselves in the match as they pushed Gor Mahia into defending their territory.In one of the dangerous attacks, Zakayo managed to get a free kick out of Austin Odhiambo who fouled him on the edge of the box, giving Tusker their best chance of restoring parity in the game.52: Rodgers is hacked down at the edge of the box, Shami steps up behind the freekick and curls beyond the keeper. (1-1) pic.twitter.com/oz5DIIROL8— 🏆Tusker FC (@tusker_fc) February 8, 2023 Shami Mwinyi needed no further invitation than that as he delicately placed the free kick in between between the stationed wall and the crowded penalty box to score an exquisite equalizer just seven minutes into the half.The equalizer threw the game into a real contest as both sides now found the drive to go for all the three points after tasting the back of the net.More to follow…
