Robert Matano loses his cool as Ulinzi lose to Gor

Ulinzi Stars coach Robert Matano lost his cool, claimed centre referee George Mwai was “bogus” after his team’s 2-0 loss to defending Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia at the City Stadium on Saturday.

At the Afraha Stadium, former champions Tusker FC beat woeful Nakuru All Stars 3-1 to rise to second place in the log, while Western Stima returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Bandari FC in Kisumu.

At Nyayo Stadium, Sofapaka dropped points yet again when they were held to a barren draw by lowly ranked City Stars.

HIGHLY PHYSICAL

Michael Olunga’s second half goal complemented Meddie Kagere’s opener, while goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch kept a fourth successive clean sheet to ensure K’Ogalo’s unbeaten run stretched to nine games.

It was a tense, enthralling and highly physical match, and in the opening moments of the match it was difficult to tell which team would end up on the winning side.

Godfrey Walusimbi started in defense ahead of the injured Liberian Dirkir Glay, and his day’s performance commanded a standing ovation from the club’s fans when he was brought off two minutes to the end of the match.

He had repeatedly carried the ball forward to Kagere and Olunga, and midfielder Ali Abondo who kept Ulinzi goalkeeper James Saruni on his toes.

Robert Matano’s boys however made every attempt to push back, with Kevin Amwayi and Oscar Wamalwa sending threatening shots towards Gor custodian Boniface Oluoch.

Three yellow cards had been issued by referee George Mwai by the 45th minute when Kagere opened the scoring with a spectacular goal.

Saruni had leapt forward in anticipation of Olunga’s palm stinging shot, but the Ulinzi custodian suffered a moment of anxiousness and released the ball to the unmarked Kagere who shot home with a single touch on the ball.

The opponents vehemently protested this goal.

The match lost none of its first half intensity, and both teams returned fighting hard for a better result.

It was in the 76th minute when Olunga added onto the tally with a lovely goal after evading a challenge from oncoming defender Geoffrey Kokoyo.

“Although we were at times sloppy in defence, today’s referee was bogus. I can say it again that this referee is not qualified even to officiate a third division match. He denied us a clear penalty and kept ignoring our calls. That is unfortunate,” a furious Matano said after the match.

Gor’s Frank Nuttall was happy with the win, and commended the opponents for putting up a good fight.

“We have gotten the three points today and that is the most important thing. This was a very tough game and the opponent came out very strong today but I am happy that the boys were able to contain them,” he said.  

Reports by Cellestine Olilo, Gaetano Pesa and Francis Mureithi