Gor Mahia vs KCB match played at Thika Municipal Stadium on Sunday ended in a barren draw.
The outgoing Kenya champions halted the bankers’ title chase in a more balanced match with both teams having share of chances.
KCB needed a win to go top of KPL but a well-organized K’Ogalo defense and midfield stopped them from with defender Frank Odhiambo winning man of the match.
K’Ogalo was the first to test the bankers’ side in the early minutes of the game when Tito Okello got a chance in the 3rd minute of the game after defense mishap, but his effort was thwarted with a deflection by KCB defender.
During his unveiling, the reigning champions settled in the game and attempted to play with the ball around the pack as new head coach Mark Harrison had promised.
K’Ogalo new Head Coach Mark Harrison was pleased with the outcome and praised his side of resilient hard work.
“We knew they will be at it because we have nothing to play for and they are playing for the championship. But fair play to my team because I think they played well considering the circumstances,” Harrison..
KCB pressed on in search of the opening goal that would set them on their way back to the top of the table. Just four minutes later, red hot in form striker Derrick Otanga made a cute turn in the box as he left Gor’s Frank Odhiambo for dead. However, his hard work was painfully undone when his shot beat the goalkeeper but could not find the back of the net as it cannoned off the upright, much to the agony of the June player of the month and the KCB bench.
Looking to turn around proceedings, John Macharia threatened to give Gor Mahia the lead at the stroke of halftime after good build-up play from defense to KCB’s box but his shot just hit the side netting, the two teams going into the halftime break an even-steven affair.
In the second half, Gor settled back into their attempts at keeping the ball. An impressive build-up again from defense started by Frank enabled Gor to test the KCB defense yet again but the telling touch was lacking as Tito Okello’s shot caught a deflection and rolled out for a corner.
Another breakaway counter in the 63rd minute should have seen Gor take the lead but Tito made a poor decision with his final ball as he elected to find somebody with a pass rather than to shoot with nobody in his way, much to the wild frustration of the head coach who was boiling.
As the game boiled down to the final minutes, Gor dominated proceedings but KCB only limited them to half chances taken from a range that did not pose any potential harm.
Both teams resorted to keeping their clean sheet intact as the game ended in a 0-0 draw.