Not even an early red card to goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch could deter Gor Mahia from picking the maximum points against Tusker FC as they edged them by a solitary goal in an entertaining match played at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Wednesday 27th February.
Gor Mahia custodian Boniface Oluoch was sent off after he handled the ball off his box and fouled an onrushing David Juma in the 24th minute. This forced Gor Mahia to rest George Odhiambo and introduced Shaban Odhoji between the sticks. Timothy Otieno took the resultant freekick for the Brewers but Odhoji parried it away.
Gor Mahia forward Sammy Onyango was proving to be a threat for the Tusker backline and could have scored just before the break but his shot hit the post with Tusker Custodian Emery Mvuyekure.
Second half
Mvuyekure was once again called into action in the 52nd minute as he denied Jacques Tuyisenge by punching away his powerful header off a Kenneth Muguna inviting cross.
Goal
Just four minutes later Nicholas Kipkirui gave Gor Mahia the lead with a header off a Shafik Batambuze cross.
Tusker brought in Boniface Muchiri for Kevin Omondi in the 59th minute but it is Gor Mahia who continued to threaten. Samuel Onyango once again outpaced the Tusker defenders from the centre of the pitch after a quick restart but shot inches wide with only Mvuyekure well beaten.
Gor Mahia introduced Ernest Wendo for Lawrence Juma in the 66th minute in an obvious attempt to steady the midfield while Tusker FC brought in Bill Oporia in place of David Juma as they continued their search for the elusive goal.
Disallowed goal
Oporia headed in Boniface Muchiri cross in the 79th minute but the goal was disallowed after Marlon Tangauzi was adjudged to have fouled Kenneth Muguna in the box before the header.
Oliech in, another disallowed goal
Gor Mahia introduced Dennis Oliech for Jacques Tuyisenge in the 85th minute and just three minutes late Tusker had another goal disallowed as youngster Sidney Ochieng was adjudged to be off before tapping in John Kamau’s cross.
Oliech blasted wide in stoppage time after another quick restart by Odhojo to Kipkirui who put him through one on one with Tusker custodian Mvuyekure but Marlon did well to put some pressure on Oliech who blasted wide as Gor held on for the three points.
