Nine-man brewers stand tall to hold charging Gor to a draw at Nyayo

Two red cards, confrontations, emotions and hard tackles marred the explosive league clash between Gor Mahia and Tusker at the Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday that ended in a 1-1 draw.

Tusker were reduced to nine men in a five-minute period of madness that saw Fifa referee Sylvester Kirwa flash straight red cards to Martin Kiiza and Llyod Wahome for rough tackles on Patrick Oboya and Dan Sserunkuma respectively.

Oboya was forced out of the pitch barely 10 minutes after coming in for a wasteful Kevin 'Ade' Omondi with what appeared to be a serious knock in the 72nd minute.

It did not take long before utility man Wahome followed him to the locker room for a two-foot lunge on Gor’s danger man Sserrunkuma as Kirwa became the centre of attention in the duel between two giants of Kenyan football.

Gor snatched the lead two minutes to the break through centre back Haron Shakava, whose towering header from an Innocent Mutiso corner kick landed at the top of the net.

The brewers,  who had three new faces in the starting line up from the squad that beat Ulinzi Stars 2-1 last weekend, drew level seven minutes after the break with Ismail Dunga slotting home a penalty kick after Jesse Were was tripped in the six yard box by Gor’s Kelvin Oluoch.

The epic duel did not disappoint in the first half as just  eight minutes into play Gor’s  Omondi came close with a 35-metre screaming free-kick which was tipped over the crossbar by Tusker’s custodian Samuel Odhiambo.

But Omondi, try as he may, just could not score. In one attempt he was denied by the upper side of the crossbar. His wastefulness saw him substituted in the 64th minute for Oboya.

Coach Bobby Williamson attributed the failure to pick maximum points on bad luck. “We were unlucky. We created so many chances but failed to get that decisive goal. The officiating was very satisfactory,” said the Scot.

His opposite number Francis Kimanzi was left gloating after his charges held their nerves to defy Gor despite playing two men down to pick out a precious point which catapulted them two points clear at the summit of the log on 14 points from six matches.

“I am very pleased with my players today. If I was the club President I would have given them double bonus,” he said.