Gor Mahioa returned to local action on Friday at Bukhungu stadium. Playing against Kakamega Homeboyz, the game ended 1-1. Nicholas Kipkirui scored for Gor Mahia while Allan Wanga replied late in the game for Homeboyz. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additional reporting from the Nation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An injury time equaliser from Kakamega Homeboyz striker Allan \nWanga denied Gor Mahia maximum points as the sides settled for a 1-1 \ndraw in a tough SportPesa Premier League match at Bukhungu stadium in \nKakamega on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K\u2019Ogalo <\/em>had taken a \ndeserved lead via forward Nicholas Kipkurui after he headed into the net\n a cross from Samuel Onyango in the 41st minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The \ndraw was enough to take Gor back on top of the table courtesy of a \nsuperior goal difference. Gor, Sofapaka and Bandari are all on 45 \npoints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The better part of the encounter was marked by missed scoring chances from both sides, as attackers hunted for the opening goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Homeboyz,\n however, wasted two clear chances of scoring after referee Israel \nMpaima awarded them two indirect kicks from Ahmed Bai and Luke Namanda \nin the 6th and 11th minutes respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The defending\n champions made a quick counter attack when Jacques Tuyisenge put \nthrough Lawrence Juma, but his shot was parried over the cross bar by \nhawkeyed Homeboyz custodian David Juma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a bid to \ncontain rough play, whistler Mpaima cautioned Gor Mahia’s new signing \nHashim Sempala after a rough tackle on midfielder Moses Chikati in the \n22nd minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Efforts by the hosts’ attackers Namanda, \nWanga to score were time and again frustrated by the Gor defence that \nwas marshalled by Joachim Olouch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the match headed \nto half time, Samuel Onyango made a right wing cross, which Kipkurui \nheaded into the net past helpless goal keeper Juma for the opening goal \nin the 41st minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After half time, Gor stepped up \ntheir game but Tuyisenge and Kipkurui time and again missed golden \nscoring opportunities following well calculated crosses from Boniface \nOmondi and Samuel Onyango.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both coaches made substitutions as the game headed towards its conclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gor\u2019s\n Hassan Oktay replaced the injured duo of Charles Momanyi and Kipkurui \nwith Joash Onyango and Dennis Oliech respectively in the 60th minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Homeboyz tactician Nicholas Muyoti pulled out Festo Omukoto and Luke Namanda for Peter Thiongo and Ravel Maxwell respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Refereee\n Mpaima was forced to stop the match for a while to seek audience with \nOktay for constantly interfering with the work of the first linesman \nArnold Kimutai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the match entered added time, Wanga soared high in the box to pull an equaliser following a pass from Thiongo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oktay said his charges played well but were punished for not converting their chances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\n were dominant throughout the match. I am taking every match as a final \nencounter, as I seek to defend the title successfully,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Homeboyz\n tactician Nicholas Muyoti said they would have won the match had the \nreferee handed them a penalty after Geoffrey Ochieng handled the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am , however, delighted with the late equaliser from my top scorer Wanga,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n