The 2022/23 Kenyan Premier League title is anyone’s taking between table-topping Gor Mahia and second-placed Tusker after both teams settled for contrasting fortunes in their respective opponents in penultimate fixtures yesterday.
Whilst Gor fell 3-2 at the death to Kakamega Homeboyz in an explosive show in Kasarani, Tusker were held 1-1 by Posta Rangers in Ruaraka meaning that the destiny of both front-runners shall be decided in their final assignments this Sunday.
Gor, whose advantage over Tusker at the summit was reduced to just a point, will wind up the campaign with a tricky fixture against Nairobi City Stars whereas the ale-men will pen off against the already relegated Vihiga Bullets.
In Kasarani, Homeboyz did Tusker a huge favour as far as winning a back-to-back title is concerned after Kevin Amwayi scored his second goal of the evening with the match seemingly headed for a deadlock.
At Ruaraka, Rangers stunned Tusker with the opener through Jackson Dwang’ in the 9th minute and frustrated them for the entire first half before Deogratius Ojok saved the hosts with the leveller in the 56th minute.
Elsewhere, Mathare United earned a lifeline in their fight to evade relegation after bravely holding Ulinzi Stars1-1.
The same applies to Wazito who summoned their willpower and confidence to shock hosts Bidco United 1-0 in Thika
Gor were the liveliest in the early exchanges against Homeboyz in one of the two matches which had elicited a lot of interest after that one involving Tusker.
It was thus least surprising when Ugandan import Patrick Kaddu gave K’Ogalo the lead after only 12 minutes with a beauty of a header from an inch-perfect Austin Odhiambo’s cross into the area past an on-rushing Farouk Shikalo between the posts.
Three minutes later, Homeboyz knocked in K’Ogalo’s box in search of the equalizer with Kevin Amwayi making a great delivery that fell in the boot of Harambee Stars’ new striker Moses Shumah who had been a thorn in K’Ogalo’s defence.
Shumah would then sidestep Dennis Nganga with his shot being punched back into play by Gor custodian Gad Mathews as the attack fizzled out, thanks to more Gor defenders regrouping to clear their lines.
In the 25th minute, Gor launched a counter-attack, Geoffrey Ochieng finding himself with acres of space but delayed in pulling the trigger thus allowing Homeboyz defender Robinson Kamura to make a clearance at the six-yard box.
John Otieno, whom Homeboyz drafted to replace the ailing Brian Eshihanda, later did well to thwart a penetrative run into their defence by Gor offensive mid fielder Austin Odhiambo as the ball swung from one end to the other.
But it was Homeboyz who were lucky to grab the equalizer in the 38th minute, Ambrose Sifuna disentangling himself from his markers to make a solo run and finally beat Matthews at the far post which was a big relief for Abana Abeingo after a rather cagey start.In the 41st minute, Shumah was denied for the second time by Matthews when he latched onto a cutback pass from Amwayi.
In the 41st minute after the latter had dribbled past Sydney Ochieng’ with Matthews’ quick reflexes keeping Gor in the game going into halftime.
Shortly after resumption, Odhiambo capitalized on a mistake at Homeboyz’s defence to restore Gor’s lead but things changed in the 57th minute when Amwayi put the visitors’ level with a powerful shot.
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