Gor Mahia, Ulinzi share spoils in Kisumu

Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia were held to 0-0 draw by visiting Ulinzi Stars in their league tie at the Moi Stadium, Kisumu on Saturday.

The result leaves K'Ogalo top of the pile with 25 points, while Ulinzi are at 21 points garnered in 12 matches.

Ulinzi’s coach Benjamin Nyangweso applauded his players' performance despite not registering a win. He blamed poor finishing by his forwards for the outcome.

“The match went according to plan. We came for three points but unfortunately only got a point. But a point against the defending champions is still a great plus for my team,” said coach Nyangweso.

His opposite number, Steven Polack commended his players for dominating the match but blamed poor concentration and lack of good decision making by his attackers for the draw.

“We never keep a match this simple like we did today. Ulinzi’s defence was solid and that outshone us at some point and we lost a lot of chances,” said Polack.

Ulinzi could have taken the lead in the fourth minute, but Brian Birgen’s corner kick was saved by K’Ogalo’s custodian Boniface Oluoch.

Five minutes later, Gor threatened but Lawrence Juma’s corner kick went wide after Ulinzi’s goalkeeper Timothy Odhiambo palmed the ball to safety.

Oscar Wamalwa wasted an excellent pass from John Kago on 20 minutes when his header went wide.

Both teams made substitutions in the second half. Gor Mahia’s Boniface Omondi, Kennedy Otieno, Dickson Ambundo headed in for Yipike Gnamien, Samuel Onyango and Clifton Miheso respectively, while Nyangweso made a double substation, John Njuguna and Ezekiel Okore replacing Elvis Nandwa and Oscar Wamalwa.

The intense match saw Ulinzi’s Oscar Wamalwa and Bernard Ongoma receive yellow cards, while Geoffrey Ochieng of K’Ogalo was also cautioned.

K’Ogalo fans were almost on their feet in the 86th minute, but Francis Afriye wasted a glorious chance to win the game.