George “BlackBerry” Odhiambo shot Gor Mahia into a fifth minute lead, his audacious dribbling into the box, beating three defenders before shooting with his left [off a touch by Tusker defender Joseph Shikokoyi], high into the net from a narrow angle, being a delight to his admirers.

Late into the game, Gor Mahia inevitably caught Tusker thin at the back when the Brewers had pressed and thrown everyone up looking for the equaliser. “BlackBerry” was again involved as three Gor Mahia men toyed with little Tusker resistance during a counter attack. An interchange in the box between Odhiambo, Tony Onyango and Kevin Omondi finished with Omondi tapping into an empty Tusker net in the 87th minute.

Tusker clearly came unstuck in this hyped match which saw a gloriously large Gor Mahia support hugely enjoy themselves at the City Stadium. “They got us today,” said Tusker skipper Noah Abich. “Things just did not go right for us, especially after conceding a goal so early. It was hard because Gor Mahia are a good team. Very highly inspired... so it was their day.

Some zealous protection of their early lead called for Gor Mahia men to stand their ground and even though it worked, there will be sleepless night for newly recruited defender Collins Okoth while authorities review his behaviour during an incident in the 51st minute. Okoth’s blatant elbow into the face of a Tusker player, though unsighted by any official was horrendously ugly and those shocked by it will be awaiting results of further investigation.

Tusker tried everything and Joseph Emeka (62nd minute) should have converted when Anthony Khadudu sent across past the face of goal and all the Nigerian needed was to reach the toe of his boot to it. Shikokoti had a chance from the same left far post from a free kick but his lunge at the ball only managed to take it to the side netting in the 76th minute. Then Paul Were also just failed to convert from the same position in the 77th minute.

In the 84th minute Crispin Olando, the busy recruit from Thika United had a chance but his left foot effort went straight to Gor Mahia ‘keeper Jerim Onyango. On the other hand one of Gor’s best chances fell to Duncan Makori whose close range shot was saved by the Tusker ‘keeper Samuel Odhiambo in the 53rd minute.

TEAMS:-

TUSKER - 20. Samuel Odhiambo: 17. Noah Abich, 3. Collins Kisuya, 18. Joseph Shikokoti, 15. Humphrey Okoti, 16. Chrispine Olando, 24. Anthony Khadudu (13. Fred Ojwang’, 74’), 21.Victor Ali Abondo, 30. Salim “Kinje” Khamis (14. Paul Were, 50’), 9. Dennis Mukaisi, 11. Joseph Emeka (7. Oscar Kadenge, 68’)

Reserves not used - 1. Boniface Oluoch, 2. Chris Litswa, 5. Jockins Atudo, 10. Francis Oduor

Coach - James Nandwa

GOR MAHIA - 1. Frederick Onyango: 4. Julius “Awillo” Owino (captain), 21. Andrew Ongwae, 5.Musa Mohamed, 15. Eric Masika, 6. Teddy Akumu, 17. Dan Makori (14. Kevin Omondi, 57’), 13. Collins Okoth, 25. George Odhiambo, 9. Baldwin Ngwa (7. Francis Ochola, 85’), 11. John Kiplangat (8.Tony Onyango, 72’)

Reserves not used - 23. Gradus Ochieng’, 3. Christopher Litswa, 26. Robert Onyango, 29. Abdi Mohamed

Scorers - 25. George “BlackBerry” Odhiambo (5’), 14. Kevin Omondi (87’)

Coach - Zedekiah Otieno

Referee - Fidelis Wekesa

Source: www.kpl.co.ke