Resilient Murang’a Seal take a point from Gor Mahia in SportPesa Derby
11th November 2023
Benson Omalla had the ball in the back of the net but his goal was adjudged to be offside.
- The game was the first time the two sides were meeting in the top-flight.
- The barren stalemate left both sides in second and third on the log.
- Gor however have a better goal difference in second spot.
Newly-promoted Murang’a Seal displayed another gigantic
performance on Saturday afternoon as they nicked a point off record Kenyan
champions Gor Mahia following a resilient barren draw in the Round 11 clash
staged at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Christened the SportPesa Derby owing to the two sides’
affiliation to lead online gaming firm SportPesa who is their sponsor, Seal ensured
that family bragging rights were shared equally as they frustrated the 20-time
champions on a day they were celebrating the official unveiling of their new
41-seater team bus.
The game had been ushered in by pre-match fanfare surrounding
the bus but Seal put a plug to those festivities as they resolutely ensured
nothing went beyond their watch, constantly thwarting anything that looked like
danger on their way to extending their unbeaten streak to seven matches (W4
D3).
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The opening thirty minutes had nothing much to write home
about apart from Ronney Onyango’s header from a Patrick Sibomana cross that narrowly
just missed the target.
The game burst into life on the 31st minute, when
Benson Omala, who is fresh from being recalled to the Harambee Stars setup, stretched
his legs and managed to divert a Sibomana cross past Bonphas Munyasa and into
the back of the net.
The striker’s goal celebrations were however just cut short
as the linesman lifted his flag for offside, much to the dismay of the K’Ogalo
fans and technical bench who did not agree with the call.
With Kenya still lacking anything close to Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the official’s decision stood.
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That piece of action seemed to have sparked the game into
life and Gor looked a much purposeful side as they threw numbers forward in a
bid to break the deadlock but that was not the case going into the half time
break.
Upon the second half’s resumption, Kennedy Onyango got one
of the clearest opportunities to score in the 53rd minute but the
new signing showed why he is a centre back rather than an attacker as he failed
to sort out his feet, missing a glorious chance to give his side the lead.
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Seven minutes later, Omalla, known for his deadly heading
ability, missed a clear-cut opportunity 1v1 with the keeper as he placed his
header wide off target despite an inch perfect cross from Boniface Omondi
who had done all the work down the left before laying the ball on a plate for
him.
Two other chances to grab a lead would fall K’Ogalo’s way but Sibomana and Omondi failed to capitalize on the chances as they put their attempts over the bar, ensuring the game ended even stevens.
