Chemelil rally to hold 10-man Gor Mahia

Chemelil Sugar rallied from two goals down to hold 10-man Gor Mahia 2-2 in a Kenyan Premier League match at rain drenched Kericho Green Stadium on Wednesday.

The defending champions looked to be cruising as Humphrey Mieno and Ephrem Guikan put K'Ogalo in charge at half time.

However, the sugar millers capitalised on Gor keeper Boniface Olouch's sending off in the 54th minute after handling the ball outside his area, with Charles Kwakha and Benedicto Mwamlangara scoring to restore parity.

Gor, who reclaimed top spot on Sunday following a 5-2 demolition over Thika United, have now accumulated 26 points from 10 matches and still have two games in hand over second placed Mathare United who are on 23 points.

Chemelil coach Charles Odera hailed his side's fighting spirit after falling two goals down. His side are now on 18 points.

"We were down by two goals at halftime but we played well in the second half and managed to fight back. We had very few chances, but I am happy the boys capitalised on them and saved the point," he said on Wednesday.

MOMENTUM

Humphrey Mieno opened the scoring for the defending champions three minutes into play, when he tapped from close range after connecting well with Ernest Wendo's dangerous cross inside the box.

Six minutes later, Guikan was on the offensive in the left wing but he was flagged offside before he made a shot at goal.

The hosts then managed to cut through Gor's defence minutes later but Collins Neto was denied by the safe hands of Boniface Oluoch with Maxwell Onyango's rebound failing to find the back of the net.

After missing two successive open scoring chances, Guikan finally got his name on the score sheet in the 26th minute with an easy finish, when he found himself unmarked inside Chemelil's box with Innocent Wafula providing the assist.

Attacker Francis Kahata drove a dangerous shot on target but it was comfortably claimed by Chemelil's goalkeeper John Waw.

Chemelil gained some momentum in the dying minutes of the first half, launching two attacks through Faraj Ominde, but Oluoch was alert.

'DEAR LIFE'

The hosts improved in the second half making the first attempt at goal through Neto, but his short went wide.

The game's turning point came in the 54th minute when Gor keeper Oluoch was sent off after he handled the ball outside the box.

Gor coach Dylan Kerr sacrificed scorer Guikan as second choice keeper Peter Odhiambo took his place.

The numerical advantage seemed to have have favoured the hosts with wave of attacks on the K'Ogalo goal.

Their efforts bore fruit in the 69th minute when substitute Charles Kwakha found the back of the net with a low drive from outside the box to reduce the deficit.

Kerr made changes to his team bringing in Samuel Onyango for Ernest Wendo and Lawrence Juma for Jacques Tuyisenge, while Odera brought on Philip Muchoma for Yusuf Juma.

Benedicto Mwamlangara levelled matters in the 75th minute with a top corner goal after being set by Nicholas Akoko, who was fantastic after he managed to beat Gor Mahia defenders with his pace and impressive dribbling skills.

Chemelil went in search of the winner but Gor hang on to dear life and the precious point.