NAIROBI, Kenya April 21 – Julius Owino converted an injury time penalty to earn Gor Mahia a 1-1 draw against Tusker FC on Wednesday.A stunning goal from teenage protégé Paul Were in the 64th minute put the brewers ahead despite lengthy protests from ‘Kogalo’ who claimed that the linesman had raised his flag before the ball went into the net.
It what has become a trait of midweek fixtures, both sides produced a high octane encounter laced with spectacular chances at goal, endless counter attacks and last minute drama.
The match was billed as a showdown between Were and Gor striker George Odhiambo but Odhiambo’s duel with towering Tusker and Harambee Stars defender Joseph Shikokoti stole the show.
With Gor taking the initiative in the opening stages, it was Tusker who almost drew first blood through Dennis Mukaisi who was at the receiving end of an Oscar Kadenge cross only to be denied by Jerry Onyango.
What followed was an impressive ten minute spell from Gor who ran james Nandwa’s side rugged with an impressive display of free flowing and high speed football that almost produced goals for Ibrahim Kitawi, Odhiambo and John Kiplangat.
Mukaisi and Were together with the supporting cast of Noah Abich, Ali Abondo and Anthony Khadudu.
Both sides upped the ante in the second period with Itawi almost converting the first chance of the second half with a thunderous shot that is blocked by Tusker keeper Samuel Odhiambo.
Immeadiately, Tusker launched a blistering counter down the near touch line. Abondo latches onto a through ball and sends a cross into Gor’s box to the onrushing Mukaisi but his effort goes over the bar.
It was another counter attack that led to Were’s goal. Mukaisi found the 19 year old in the box in space and with plenty of time rifled the ball into the net.
Gor players held up the match for five minutes protesting the legality of the goal but the ruling stood.
Were almost extended the lead soon after with a carbon copy of his earlier goal but his effort was off target.
George Odhiambo and Kitawi had the chance to put their names in lights with late strikes before Gor were awarded a penalty deep into injury time before Jockins Atudo fouled Gor midfielder Duncan Owiti to concede the penalty.
