Harambee Stars 1-1 Gor Mahia: Omino cancels out Jesse Were's opener as K'Ogalo hold Stars in warm up match

Harambee Stars warmed up to Saturday’s Chan return leg qualifier against Ethiopia with a laboured 1-1 draw against Gor Mahia in a build-up match at the Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday.

It was not a convincing display by Bobby Williamson’s charges who must win the Saturday clash by scoring three answered goals against the Walya Antelopes to gain passage to round two of the qualifiers.

For the Kenyan Premier League leaders and champions, who had five of their regulars lining up for the national team, it was a good enough performance, justifying their 16-match unbeaten run in the league.

Stars sprung to a half-hour lead when Jesse Were nodded home from close range a well floated cross from his Tusker teammate Kevin Kimani.

Gor, buoyed by hundreds of their cheerful fans on the stands in the mid-morning contest, clawed back in the 69th minute through Ronald Omino, son of veteran Western Stima coach Henry Omino.

It was a well worked out team goal involving new signing Enock Agwanda, Godfrey Walusimbi and Omino.

(READ: Ethiopia pose a tough challenge, admits Williamson)

Agwanda bulldozed his way past his markers to pick Walusimbi, who fed Omino to complete the move with a simple touch from the box beating Wycliffe Kasaya, who had been brought on in the second half to replace Boniface Oluoch.

In post-match assessment, Williamson said that his mind is already made up on his Saturday line up, but for the moment, it will remain a secret weapon.

"I’m very clear on my mind on the starting eleven which I won’t name for now,” he said.

The Scot also said that he is considering bringing in highly-rated winger Paul Were to the team before the Saturday match, but was quick to point out that he is concerned with his match fitness levels.

Were, who sealed a six-month move to champions Gor Mahia on transfer deadline day, was a live-wire in Congo in an African Cup of Nations qualifier and could be a big boost.

OLUOCH LIKELY STARTER

In his fielding, the Scot, however, gave a glimpse of the likely starters. Boniface Oluoch who started in goal, is a firm favourite to retain the gloves, while the full back positions could go to Edwin Wafula and Thika United’s skipper Dennis Odhiambo, who joined camp this week. In their last two matches, left back Aboud Omar and centre half Jackson Saleh have been erratic and could pay the price.

Harun Shakava is favourite to partner his Gor team mate Musa Mohamed at the heart of defence. Collis Okoth, Bernard Mang’oli, Ali Abondo and Kevin Kimani are likely starters in an offensive looking midfield, leaving Olunga Michael as the main striker upfront supported by Jesse Were. Kenya trails Ethiopia by two goals in the two-legged tie.

Gor’s head coach Frank Nuttall, whose charges will next week head to Dar es Salaam for the Cecafa Kagame Cup, was on the other hand contented with his boys’ performance.

(READ: Will they sparkle? Gor draw Yanga, Al-Khartoum in Kagame Cup)

“We played well but it was just an exercise match to see how Agwanda (Enock) plays with his team mates,” he said of the burly striker who featured prominently last term for Sofapaka as they bagged the GOtv Shield Cup.