Nyakeya strikes late to deny Gor Mahia in Machakos

Mathare United enhanced their reputation as Gor Mahia's bogey team after coming 2-0 from behind to hold the champions to a 2-2 draw on the final day of the 2018/19 SportPesa Premier League season at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Wednesday.

Rwandan striker Jacques Tuyisenge set the hosts ahead on 21 minutes with a well taken penalty after James Situma was penalised for a high boot on Geoffrey Ochieng’.

Boniface Omondi doubled K’Ogalo’s lead with a touch of class in the 57th. He cleverly dispossessed Francis Omondi inside the Mathare box, invited a challenge from Samuel Olwande who he beat with bemusing ease and with Allan Owiny advancing, he kept his cool and lobbed the ball into an empty net.

A smidgen of hope for the visitors came moments after the hour mark when John Mwangi’s effort took a wicked deflection off Lawrence Juma and landed in the net.

With Gor looking comfortably in the lead, Mathare made their pressure count. This time, Clifford Alwanga’s shot brushed off Harun Shakava’s right arm and the referee gave a penalty that was expertly tucked into the bottom left corner by Cliff Nyakeya.

Despite being crowned champions last Saturday, Gor meant business from the onset. Tuyisenge played through Erisa Ssekisambu with a dinked pass but Owiny came off his line to deny his compatriot.

Boniface Omondi stung Owiny’s arms with a rasping drive and on the other end, Shaban Odhoji saved comfortably from Alwanga as both sides looked to settle.

Tuyisenge scored probably his last goal in the green of Gor Mahia with a beautifully taken spot kick after a moment of recklessness from Situma left centre referee Samuel Mwaura with no option, his boot raised high into Ochieng’s face.

FINISHED SIXTH

The Rwandan should have made it a memorable farewell when a long ball from Charles Momanyi bounced kindly inside the box and he hit the first time but his effort whistled inches wide off the upright. Tuyisenge is reportedly on his way to Angolan giants Petro Atletico.

Two minutes later, Lawrence Juma should have made it 2-0 but Owiny showed strong arms to deny him. The introduction of Tyson Otieno on the Slum Boys side while trailing by only one goal proved to be a tactical masterpiece from Francis Kimanzi.
First he found Nyakeya with a cross but the winger contrived to angle his header inches wide. Then he picked out Kinyanjui with a delightful through ball but Odhoji did well to save from point blank range.

When Nyakeya blasted over a free-kick from the edge of the box on 86 minutes, Mathare United looked dead and buried but they were back to their stubborn selves moments later after winning a penalty.

Their top scorer Nyakeya took the onus, sauntered to the spot with the confidence of a player top of Gor’s transfer target list and planted the ball beyond Odhoji’s despairing dive.

His 15th of the season secured a point for his side and ensured they finished sixth.

RESULTS

Sharks 4-0 Vihiga United

Gor Mahia 2-2 Mathare United

KCB 2-2 Zoo FC

Sofapaka 2-0 Kakamega Homeboyz

Nzoia Sugar 2-2 Bandari

Chemelil Sugar 1-0 Sony Sugar

Tusker 2-1 Posta Rangers

Western Stima 0-0 AFC Leopards

Ulinzi Stars 2-0 Mt. Kenya United (walkover)