Highlighted as ‘the league decider’, FKFPL leaders Tusker and Gor Mahia offered a taste of nerve-wracking, physical football that seemed to have everything bar a goal – both giants working to an exciting barren draw (if it ever existed) at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.At the end of it all, all sides will feel as if they should have bagged all the three points.Everything poured out in the last few minutes of added time. First, John Njuguna hit his shot over the bar, and then there was Boniface Omondi who spurned a one-on-one opportunity from a last-gasp counter attack.A valuable point it will be for The Brewers as they maintained their one point lead on top of the FKF Premier League table, Gor Mahia missing out on another opportunity to go back on top.Match Summary.And finally, the highlight match of the weekend was off and rolling, a sense of urgency looking evident atleast from the side seeking opportunity to claim top status in the league – Gor Mahia.##NAJAVA_MECA_7283732##Austin Odhiambo was within minutes at the end of the game’s first opportunity but somehow managed to swing a foot that completely missed the ball.In such a high stakes fixture, a lot was happening in the ground. Be it Eric Mmata and Geofrey Ochieng engaging in a fiery man on man matchup, or Tusker’s Eric Otieno exchanging elbow hits and shoves with Gor Mahia center back Dennis Njire.The overworking Sydney Ochieng, who was a feature in winning almost every loose ball in the midfield – could have given K’Ogalo the lead just before the minute water-break period when his diving header off a Njire freekick bounced wide.Reprieve for AFC Leopards as FKF Appeals Committee delivers clement decisionFrom then on, The Brewers upped the tempo, got aggressive and seemed to carry their fans with them.Bums were off the seats in the half-hour mark when Shaphan Siwa, running through the left side of Gor Mahia’s defense, rifled a strong shot that beat Gad Matthews, but not the right upright.Mieno, even at his age, was having fun in his zone and after dispossesing Peter Lwasa, tried to feed Eric Otieno through, with Gad advancing to collect the pieces.Then it was Siwa once again clear on goal.The pacy forward caught Geoffrey Ochieng napping on a loose ball, raced one on one against Gad Matthews; ultimately scooping his right foot effort wide.Gor Mahia were hanging on the ropes and the halftime whistle was at hand to calm down what felt like a half the table toppers had made theirs.The start to the second period was a tad different for K’Ogalo as a rather unnoticeable Brian Bwire suddenly got to work, lurching to every cross that came his way.Connecting to the central target was perhaps what K’Ogalo missed the radar on, and the Tusker fan-stand for a moment went quiet in the 68th minute after watching their side in two attempts clear the ball off the line, Philemon Otieno’s long range shot offering reprieve as it sailed way over the bar.Soon enough, Eric Mmata had his face in his hands at the backdrop of protestations from the Tusker fans when his goal was chalked off for offside.The last twenty minutes of the game were proving tensive and from a distance, Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry reached for his water bottle before ushering on George Odhiambo for Peter Lwasa with his first change of the game.Matano – clad in one of those fitting suits- responded almost immediately, throwing on the trio of John Njuguna, Deogratious Ojok and Lawrence Luvanda for Michael Oduor, Eric Mmata and Eric Otieno.Benson Omala on the other end had had enough of the physical battle, and after being subjected to a facial injury early in the first half, hobbled off, with Patrick Kaddu replacing him.And as they ended the first period, Tusker and their fans were having a field day here; Levin Odhiambo stinging the arms of Gad Matthews with a freekick ftom the right.STARTING XI Tusker FCBrian Bwire, Kevin Monyi, Tom Teka, Charles Momanyi, Joseph Odhiambo, Humphrey Mieno, Michael Oduor (80′ Luvanda), Rodgers Ouma, Erick Otieno (80′ Njuguna), Shaphan Siwa, Eric Mmata (80′ Ojok)SUBSTITUTES: Michael Wanjala, Jimmy Mbugua, Mike Kibwage, Shami Mwinyi, Lawrence Luvanda, Stewart Omondi, Deogratious Ojok, John Njuguna, Collins Otieno.Gor Mahia. Gad Matthews, Philemon Otieno, Geoffrey Ochieng, Dennis Njire, Sylvester Owino, Ernest Wendo, Sydney Ochieng, Bonface Omondi, Benson Omala, Peter Lwasa (77′ George Odhiambo), Austin Odhiambo.SUBSTITUTES: Caleb Otieno, Paul Ochuoga, Bryson Wangai, Joshua Onyango, John Ochieng, Alpha Onyango, Shafik Kagimu, George Odhiambo, Patrick Kaddu.
