Nakuru All Stars 1-1 Gor Mahia: Spectacular Lnamba Bebeto strike earns Okidi's men draw at Nyayo

Bebeto Lnamba came off the bench to score a stunning bicycle kick in the 70th minute as Nakuru All Stars forced Gor Mahia to a 1-1 draw in a Kenyan Premier League match at the Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday.

An own goal by Josephat Oyugi in the second minute had put Gor on course for a win but Lnamba’s spectacular strike ensured the teams shared the spoils.

It was a match that All Stars, lying rock-bottom on the log, needed to win but they shot themselves on the foot when Oyugi headed into his own net as a result of poor communication with his goalie Shaban Odhoji.

All Stars needed to win this match; they needed the three points more than Gor, but after conceding early, it took the steam off the side which struggled to impose themselves against a weakened Gor side.

MADE CHANGES

K’Ogalo’s coach Frank Nuttall made sweeping changes in his starting eleven, handing rare starts to George “Blackberry” Odhiambo, Bernard Odhiambo, Enock “Jowi” Agwanda, Ernest Wendo and Ronald Omino to rest his stars for the weekend’s Mashemeji Derby against AFC Leopards.

The 21-year-old Michael Olunga, who led the Gor’s striking alongside Agwanda, was full of energy. Picking a ball at the edge of the area in the 22nd minute after neat exchanges between Agwanda and Blackberry, he turned his marker Frank Balla inside out but his resultant trigger flew above the cross bar.

Former Gor winger Patrick Oboya, who has been in good form for All Stars in recent matches, could not find a way as the supply chain was cut by Gor’s midfield and the closest All Stars came to finding the back of Gor’s net in the first half was in 31st minute when Boniface Akenga raced clear down the left but he put too much power on his volley.

John 'Softie' Ndirangu, also came close for All Stars three minutes minutes after the breather with a low shot but Gor skipper Musa  Mohammed, reacted fastest to clear off the line.

STERN TEST

The Sunday derby will arguably be K’Ogalo’s sternest test to their unbeaten streak when they face the old enemy in Leopards, and Ingwe coach Zdravko Logarusic, was in the main stand to spy on his opponents.

Following the draw, the run-away champions have now amassed 56 points and now need to win their next three games, beginning with Ingwe, then, a long trip to Mombasa to confront an improving Bandari side, then another trip to the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru to face second-placed Ulinzi Stars to retain the title for the third year running.