Gor Mount Epic Comeback To Thwart KCB, Bandari Floor Ulinzi

2nd May 2019

SPL leaders come from 0-3 down to draw against KCB as Mwana winner sinks soldiers in Mombasa

Action between Bandari FC versus Ulinzi Stars FC at Mbaraki Stadium, Mombasa on May 2, 2019. PHOTO/Bandari FC
Action between Bandari FC versus Ulinzi Stars FC at Mbaraki Stadium, Mombasa on May 2, 2019. PHOTO/Bandari FC
SUMMARY
  • In Mombasa, Yemi Mwana scored a 70th minute winner for Bandari FC in their 1-0 victory over visiting Ulinzi Stars FC in a hard-fought encounter at Mbaraki Stadium in the only other SPL clash of the day
  • In a simply insane game in Machakos, Francis Mustapha scored with literally the last kick of the game to gift a previous point against the bankers who will be wondering how they failed to cause a seismic upset over the champions who had a catastrophic start
  • Gor continued to lay siege on the KCB goal with Omondi and Tuyisenge coming close but as time ran out they got their reward when Mustapha, who had spurned a gilt edged opportunity to pull scores level on the stroke of full time made amends in time added on to spare the giants' blushes

MACHAKOS, Kenya- SportPesa Premier League (SPL) champions Gor Mahia FC mounted the biggest comeback of the season after going 0-3 down to force KCB FC to a 3-3 draw in a six-goal humdinger at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.

At the same time in Mombasa, Yemi Mwana scored a 70th minute winner for Bandari FC to inspire them to a 1-0 victory over visiting Ulinzi Stars FC in a hard-fought encounter at Mbaraki Stadium in the other SPL clash of the day.

The result saw Gor (59) extend their lead at the summit to seven points over Sofapaka FC after 26 games as they close in on their record-extending 18th crown as Bandari (45) scaled up to third.

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In a simply insane game in Machakos, Francis Mustapha scored with literally the last kick of the game to gift a previous point against the bankers who will be wondering how they failed to cause a seismic upset over the champions who had a catastrophic start.

A Martin Nderitu opener before two superb Bolton Omwenga goals gave KCB a commanding first half lead and set the visitors up for an improbable victory but their joy was short lived when skipper Harun Shakava and Samuel Onyango scored two quickfire strikes to make the score 3-2 at the break. 

Onyango who was the hero in a 2-1 win over Ulinzi Monday, was handed a start by coach Hassan Oktay but stars Francis Kahata and Jacques Tuyisenge were still absent from the starting line-up.

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Kenyan international Philemon Otieno also made the first XI, after missing out on the Afraha Stadium, Nakuru encounter. 

With five minutes on the clock, Hashim Sempala got Gor's first shot on target but Adisa Omar in the KCB goal made a great tipping save to send it out for a corner. 

The bankers then had a great chance to open the scoring seven minutes into the game after a great solo run from Kennedy Owino, but his shot went inches wide.

There was a stoppage in the game in the 15th as KCB full back Baraka Badi went down injured after a collision with his opposite number Geoffrey Ochieng'.

Badi could not continue and was taken off five minutes later to be replaced Nicodemus Onyango.

The titleholders then fell behind in the 25th when Gor defenders failed to contain Nderitu who showed composure to take a touch before slotting past Shaban Odhoji to give KCB a 1-0 lead.

Sublime free kick

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In the 27th, former Kariobangi Sharks FC defender Bolton Omwenga made it 2-0 with a sublime free kick and with 10 minutes of the half left, things went from bad to worse for Gor as Omwenga got his second from an outrageous effort from over 35 yards out that caught Odhoji flat-footed.

Three minutes later, Gor were handed a lifeline as skipper Shakava headed in from a corner to make it 3-1.

Oktay responded instantly with a double substitution, bringing on record Kenyan goalscorer Dennis Oliech and Boniface Omondi with Sempala and Ugandan forward Erisa Ssekisambu sacrificed.

Gor turned up the heat and Oliech pulled off a lovely back heel to Omondi before the latter laid it off for Nicholas Kipkirui but the striker's attempt was cleared off the line by Gabriel Mugabo.

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Shakava was on the hunt for a second as well but his rifled right footer was blocked on its way to goal.

On the stroke of half time, Gor reduced the deficit once more with a goal from Onyango to make it 3-2 to end arguably the best first half of an SPL match this season.

The second half began with as much pace and promise with Omondi again sending in a beautiful cross into the box but Omar saved well from a Sammy Onyango shot.

Kipkurui subbed

In the 58th, Joash Onyango found his namesake Sammy on the wing who then crossed it into the box but Oliech's header went inches wide of the target.

Kipkirui was subbed and replaced by Rwandese captain Tuyisenge who slotted in to partner with Oliech up front as they continued to seek an equaliser.

The besieged bankers resorted to time wasting and their goal keeper went to the book in the 64th for time wasting before the marauding Gor were unlucky not to be level when Mustapha's header hit the post after a great delivery from Tuyisenge.

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Gor continued to lay siege on the KCB goal with Omondi and Tuyisenge coming close but as time ran out they got their reward when Mustapha, who had spurned a gilt edged opportunity to pull scores level on the stroke of full time made amends in time added on to spare the giants' blushes.

At Mbaraki, Mwana continued his hot streak when he rose the highest to bury an Abdallah Hassan corner for the only goal of the match that saw Bandari overcome stubborn Ulinzi (36) who fell to their second successive defeat to remain eighth.