Ulinzi Stars forced Gor Mahia to a 1-1 draw in a Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match played on Sunday.
Dennis Oliech scored to give Gor Mahia the lead early in the second half before Enosh Ochieng equalized for the visiting side from the spot-kick in the 58th minute.
Brian Birgen’s timely intervention denied Gor Mahia a chance to take the lead in the 11th minute when he blocked Francis Kahata from having a full sight of goal.
Kahata’s shot hit the defender and Gor Mahia earned a corner whose delivery was dealt with equally by the Ulinzi Stars backline. Omar Mbongi and Ibrahim Shambi's combined effort stopped Francis Mustafa from making a further entry into the visitor’s area after the Burundian had been set through on goal by a lively Kahata in the 17th minute.
Ulinzi Stars’ chance in the 18th minute ended prematurely as the referee judged that John Njuguna had fouled Joash Onyango in the process of winning the ball and getting into Gor Mahia’s box. K’Ogalo then got a minute to take his breathe after they came under attack from the Soldiers side in the minutes preceding the referee’s intervention.
Shaban Odhoji denied Ulinzi Stars lead striker Enosh Ochieng in the 25th minute by diving to his left and parrying away his header. The ball landed on the striker’s right foot but his rebound was weak and Odhoji calmly collected it.
The two sides were forced into making early changes with Kenya internationals Philemon Otieno and Ibrahim Shambi limping off with what looked like injuries. Pascal Ogweno was introduced by Hassan Oktay to replace Otieno while Ulinzi Stars replaced Shambi with Bernard Ongoma in the 38th minute of play.
Dennis Oliech created some space for himself and managed to beat James Saruni in goal with a clinical shot from outside the box to hand the Kenyan champions the lead in the 47th minute.
Ulinzi Stars won a penalty in the 58th minute when Geoffrey Ochieng was adjudged to have fouled Enos Ochieng inside the box. Ochieng successfully made the spot kick conversion to earn his 13th goal of the season.
Gor Mahia managed to break through in the 73rd minute but a timely block by George Omondi ensured that Jacques Tuyisenge did not have time to score.
A last-minute injury to Harun Shakava forced the referee to add eight minutes to the game. The Gor Mahia captain took time under medication but was given the green light to proceed with the game until the end.
Gor Mahia XI: Shaban Odhoji, Philemon Otieno (Pascal Ogweno), Geoffrey Ochieng, Haron Shakava, Joash Onyango, Ernest Wendo, Kenneth Muguna, Francis Kahata, Francis Mustafa, Dennis Oliech, George Odhiambo (Jacques Tuyisenge).
Subs: Boniface Oluoch, Hashim Sempala, Boniface Omondi, Samuel Onyango, Nicholas Kipkirui, Jacques Tuyisenge.
Ulinzi Stars XI: James Saruni (GK) (c), Brian Birgen, George Omondi, Bonaventure Muchika, Omar Mbongi, Boniface Okinyi, Ibrahim Shambi (Bernard Ongoma), Elvis Nandwa, John Njuguna (Omar Boraafya.), Enosh Ochiang, Oscar Wamalwa.
Subs: Timothy Odhiambo (GK), Boniface Andayi, Harun Mwale, Churchill Muloma, Mark Bikokwa.
