City Stars 2-2 Gor Mahia: Joel Tata strikes to deny champions maiden win

Nairobi City Stars forward Joel Tata (centre) celebrates scoring their second goal during their SportPesa Premier League match against Gor Mahia at the Nyayo Stadium on March 12, 2016. The match ended 2-2. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Ulinzi salvage draw at home to Stima
  • At the Mumias Complex, visiting Posta Rangers succumbed to their first defeat of the season losing 2-1 to Kakamega Homeboyz.
  • In Awendo, Sony Sugar’s winless streak extended to five matches after Moses Arita’s stoppage time goal handed Muhoroni Youth a narrow 1-0 win.
  • Gor’s lanky centre-half Harun Shakava went into the referee’s book in the 75th minute for a two-foot lunge on Bageya.

George “Blackberry” Odhiambo scored twice within two minutes in the first half but his double act could not inspire rusty Gor Mahia to a maiden win in the 2016 SportPesa Premier League as the champions settled to a 2-2 draw Nairobi City Stars in an absorbing encounter at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.

At the Afraha Stadium, Ulinzi Stars narrowly escaped defeat at home coming from a goal down in the second half to hold the visiting Western Stima to a 1- 1 draw.

Stima claimed the match opener when speedy striker Baron Oketch unleashed a powerful shot that left Ulinzi goalkeeper James Saruni well beaten. But the soldiers salvaged a point courtesy of Daniel Waweru 71st minute equaliser.

At the Mumias Complex, visiting Posta Rangers succumbed to their first defeat of the season losing 2-1 to Kakamega Homeboyz.

Rangers took the lead in the 62nd minute courtesy of Sunday Mutuku’s own goal but strikes from Ali Bai in the 74th minute and Jeremiah Wanjala in the 81st minute were enough to hand Homeboyz all three points.

In Awendo, Sony Sugar’s winless streak extended to five matches after Moses Arita’s stoppage time goal handed Muhoroni Youth a narrow 1-0 win.

At Nyayo, striker Jimmy Bageya, who celebrated his 30th birthday on Thursday, put City Stars ahead in the 43rd minute with a brilliant solo effort, weaving his way past the K’Ogalo defence before beating Jerim Onyango at his near post.

Bageya’s goal however did not last as Odhiambo, the 2010 KPL Most Valuable Player, struck two quick fire goals a minute later to hand Gor a 2-1 lead heading to the break.

Jimmy Bageya of City Stars dribbles the ball during their SportPesa Premier League match against Gor Mahia at Nyayo Stadium on March 12, 2016. The match ended 2-2. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Gor Mahia's Kenyan striker George Odhiambo (right) dribbles past Nairobi City Stars midfielder Daniel Otieno during their SportPesa Premier League match on March 12, 2016at Nyayo Stadium. The match ended 2-2. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Odhiambo’s first goal was a simple strike from the box before he added another in stoppage time, sweeping the ball home from a Godfrey Walusimbi cross down the left flank.

City Stars coach, John “Bobby” Ogolla facing his former employers for the first time since he parted ways with them in December, made double substitution in the second half bringing in Sierra Leonean striker Mustafa Suma and Joel Tata for Ezekiel Odera and Daniel Otieno respectively.

The changes gave results when Tata fired in a neatly placed a cute pass from the left wing, a move that also involved the busy Bageya for a 2-2 draw.

Gor however felt aggrieved and the handful of their fans who attended the match chanted slogans urging club boss Ambrose Rachier to resign.

“Rachier must go! Rachier must go!” They chanted as they marched towards the main stand after the match.

“I thank the Lord. It was a great game. To get a point from the champions is good enough. The pep talk at half time worked for us,” Ogolla said.

“Football is a jungle and you never know how it will go but we will have to work on our finishing.”

The match, closely contested, was dominated by crunchy tackles.

Gor’s lanky centre-half Harun Shakava went into the referee’s book in the 75th minute for a two-foot lunge on Bageya.