Gor Mahia held by Western Stima 1-1
Gor Mahia’s 2019-2020 league campaign once again veered off track when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Western Stima at Kisumu on Wednesday. Gor Mahia’s goal was scored by Clifford Miheso. But disaster had stuck earlier in the 10th minute when Joash Onyango was sent off for fouling Benson Omalla. Which means Gor Mahia had to play most of the match with 10 men.
Additional reporting from the Nation
Gor Mahia Wednesday settled for a 1-1 draw with Western Stima in a Kenyan Premier League match at Moi Stadium, Kisumu.
Both sides finished the match with 10 men in the fiercely contested clash after Joash Onyango (Gor) and Oramchan Villa (Stima) were sent off.
Gor remain top with 45 points from 20 matches while Western Stima are still seventh with 32 points.
“The draw is okay considering we were playing most of the match with 10 men so I’m quite okay with how the boys played after the red card,” said Gor Mahia coach Steven Polack.
“I’m okay with the results as a draw is better than a loss,” said Western Stima coach Salim Babu.
The match was off to a slow start as neither side settled in the early exchanges.
Gor suffered a setback in the 12th minute when their defender Joash Onyango was red carded after hacking down goal-bound teenage sensation Benson Omala.
Polack introduced Joachim Oluoch for Geoffrey Ochieng in the 18th minute in what was a tactical move to counter the numerical disadvantage.
After a goalless first half, K’Ogalo grabbed the lead against the run of play when Cliffton Miheso lobbed Stima goalkeeper John Mwangi in the 52nd minute.
Babu responded by resting Chamberi Wankuru for Henry Onyango tow minutes later. And Stima got the equaliser in the 65th minute through Villa who beat Gor keeper Bonface Oluoch with a low shot.
Stima’s goal irked Gor supporters as they argued that Villa was offside.
“I believe the officials were not fair enough in today’s game but we can do nothing but accept the outcome,” said Polack.
Villa turned from hero to villain when he was sent off for a nasty sliding tackle on Gor midfielder Lawrence Juma.
Gor had a late chance to win the game but Juma shot straight at Mwangi.
I commented previously that this is the time referees and teams will start frustrating Kogalo. I have a feeling they have started it so that Tusker can win KPL dubiously like they won four years ago. I have also noticed that there is no cohesion in the team and our players lack urgency. I urge the coach to change tact because KPL teams with the help of refs will frustrate his system like they did with Ze-Maria four years ago. Teams will start packing the midfield and defence so long as Kogalo doesn’t score there will be celebration
This trend is worrying as we compare and contrast the way we have performed lately against Sofapaka and Western Stima. Perhaps our signings was not proper.Did we really sign quality players
Is Juma Balenya and Owusu capable of steering Kogalo to KPL trophy? What about the striker from Migori Youth
@Nyagudi,if you are aware of GMs financial situation, please don’t question the signings.Against all odds I think the team is doing REALLY WELL. I don’t believe that whenever we loose or draw the match has been fixed. All over the leagues are becoming competitive with an exception of maybe England
Levelmind if you can remember how refs frustrated Kogalo 4 years ago including docking of points in favour of Tusker to deny Ze-Maria his maiden KPL trophy then I am afraid this is the same way the trend started. If you saw the body language of the ref and the assistant ref when Western Stima scored their goal from an offside position then you would understand my frustration. Please read Coach Polack ‘s comment about officiating to confirm that he saw what I saw. And for our new signings I asked a query of concern it is just a concern yes Juma Balenya has so far scored 2 goals for Kogalo but my question is whether he is the kind of striker that can instantly change the game with solo moves to change the fortune of the club. I am asking because I have now watched the striker in three games I have noticed he mainly depends on long balls perhaps it is work in progress our new signings will improve gradually to become great players like Tuisenge . Tuisenge took time before gelling. Remember these are just opinions and it is healthy to debate for the love of our great club Kogalo.
Nyagudi has a point. In a match an opponent works hard to break teamwork. Western stima used speed and raughness with referee’s node to frustrate Gor. Coach should also watch his shoulder and check for any disquet with his players. To me the boys Miss a certain motivation but not money..
Joash Onyango has many moments where he suffers a lapse in concentration
Joash otii ka #### aende retire opidh nyikwae
I doubt that there are any underhand deals. I just think that we are hitting a rough patch at the wrong time and teams below us are waiting to pounce.
Perhaps we need a change of tact to outwit our opponents. Unfortunately our strikers are not doing as expected but hopefully after this Betway cup break we will be back to our best and firing on all cylinders!!
Playing when you are one man less is not easy. I think the boys tried their best given the circumstances. Let’s keep on supporting the team.
Why do we become bitter when we lose? Aren’t we now punching above our weight? The current challenges we have means that we should be trailing Ulinzi, Breweries and Bandari. But we are not.
As we talk we should know that we have GMAF to at least fill in some of the gaps we have in financials.
As a fan are you a member of GMAF? Let’s all strive to be part of the solution and not just lamenting