Gor sink in the ocean: Ulinzi Stars share spoils with Thika United as Mathare United hold Sony Sugar

By Ernest Ndunda, NIck Oluoch and Ben Ahenda

Shariff Mohammed (left) of Bandari battles for the ball with Shaban Kenga of Gor Mahia during their Kenyan Premier League match at the Mombasa Municipal Stadium. [PHOTO: GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD

Bandari cruised to a convincing 2-1 win over Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia in an entertaining match played at the Mombasa County Stadium.

Gor Mahia struggled in both halves to make in-roads with Bandari holding on to possession and dictating the pace.

Bandari played with purpose after the Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho pledged Sh50,000 for each goal scored and the two netted saw Bandari walk away Sh100,000 richer.

Gor Mahia’s Shaban Kenga made dangerous moves in the sixth minute after beating Bandari defence marshalled by Omar Islam and Duncan Otewa. Bandari responded immediately in the 10th minute with an excellent display by Alloyce Mangi as the match escalated from one end to the other.

David Kangatua of Thika United (right) vies for the ball with James Mulinge of Ulinzi Stars at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.

Bandari could have scored their first goal in the 15th minute after Kepha Aswani beat an offside trap cutting behind the defence line of Solomon Nasio and Godffrey Walusimbi but his left-footed shot went out.

But there was no stopping Bandari after 41 minutes of play as Mangi dislodged goalkeeper Jerry Onyango for the first goal.

On the stroke of half time, Gor Mahia restored parity after Mohammed Shariff scored an own goal after he deflected Innocent Mutiso’s shot into the net for a 1-1 draw at half time. On resumption, Bandari had several attempts on the goal but failed to get the winner. However, in the 68th minute, Victor Majid struck from close range to net the winner.

In Awendo, Sony Sugar were held to a goalless draw by visiting Mathare United at Awendo Green stadium yesterday.

In an evenly contested game, chances were few as both teams tried to hold on to possession. Hosts Sony had the edge in the first half but poor finishing, coupled with some outstanding goalkeeping from Mathare’s keeper Robert Mboya ensured that the teams shared the spoils. The host could have won in the 55th minute after Edgar Ochieng handled Samwel Onyango’s cross in Mathare’s box, forcing the referee to point to the spot.

However, from the resulting penalty, Edwin Oduor blasted the ball over the crossbar.

In Nakuru, poor judgment by Thika United goalkeeper Muwonge Hamuza resulted in the hosts Ulinzi Stars, the former KPL champions, earning a draw at Afraha Stadium yesterday, scoring late into the match.

First blood

Hamuza palmed a powerful free kick by Ulinzi custodian Francis Ochieng, only to see the ball slide into the net to help the hosts equalise against Thika United in injury time.

The goal left many surprised with Hamuza thinking the ball had gone off playing zone.

Thika United had drawn the first blood in the 45th minute after Michael Olunga dribbled past Ulinzi defence and rifled a shot from the left flank. Thika United, who outplayed the home team in all departments throughout the match, should have won all three points, but paid the prize for failing to finish off the chances they had as Ulinzi struck deep into injury time.

United’s main culprit was Simon Mbugua, who was later replaced by Glay Dirkir with seven minutes of play remaining.

Ulinzi failed to make any meaningful moves save for powerful kicks by goalkeeper Ochieng, forcing new coach Robert Matano to make several changes, which did not yield any fruits.