ANTHONY Okumu of Gor Mahia illegally used both arms to guide a 77th minute ball into the Mathare United net, setting off a heated finish to their mid-week Kenyan Premier League match under flood lights at the National Stadium, Nairobi on Wednesday.

Referee James Kagera, clearly not in a position to make judgment on whether there was an infringement at first allowed the conversion of Kevin Omondi’s corner as a goal.

But everyone in the stadium had seen that Okumu had used, not one arm, but two to “score”. Partisan Gor fans of course celebrated, knowing that elsewhere in the world “hand of God” goals had stood and hand balls, such as the infamous Thierry Henry’s, had guided teams like France to the World Cup.

However, Okumu’s “arms-of-God-goal” was disallowed by Kagera after he consulted his line official.

Confusion reigned as SuperSport’s “live” commentators were not immediately informed, in their Press box, that the “goal” had been annulled.

The rest of their broadcast, thus, continuously referred to Gor’s 1-0 lead and taking of their first three league points of the season after an earlier loss and draw.

It was an unbelievable shock to the commentators to find out, right at the end of the match, that there had been no goal!

The game, otherwise, was a thriller throughout and both teams had the correct and fair spirit.

Gor had the more piercing speed and at the head of their attack, George “Blackberry” Odhiambo was on fire looking for the goal that in the end never came. His team could have had up to half a dozen chances.

But Gor found a real contrast of a game from the technically sound Mathare United. Titus Mulama and senior brother Simeon, using their “old head” experience had the luxury of playing next to skilful Kevin Kimani and Joseph Nyagah and using Paul Abembo as their head-of-attack target. United also missed numerous chances.

For the third game in a row, coach Kimanzi had to make forced changes his Kenya goalie Duncan Ochieng’ and starting defender in the last match, Heavener Maloba, missing out through injury. Skipper Anthony Kimani is not yet back in the defence too.

Gor had said they would be bringing new faces and indeed the technical partnership of Zedekiah Otieno and Gideon Ochieng’ did. Andrew Ongwae, Musa Mohammed, Anthony Okumu and John Kiplagat made their presence felt as if they were several seasons’ veterans.

Kenyan Premier League officials will also have learnt a lesson about the behavior of unruly fans and their weapons of choice to show their displeasure. Water and soft drink plastic bottles again became the missiles thrown into the pitch and that probably would have assisted to a future verdict that vending of such wares should be banned forthwith.

TEAMS:

GOR MAHIA - 1. Jerim Onyango: 4. Julius Owino, 21. Andrew Ongwae, 2. Francis Akang’o, 5. Musa Mohammed, 6. Anthony Okumu, 19. Solomon Nasio (10. Zablon Otieno, 79’) 14. Kevin Omondi, 25. George Odhiambo, 11. John Kiplagat, 24. Ibrahim Kitawi

Reserves not used - 16. Ronny Kaguzi, 26. Robert Onyango, 30. Elisha Ochieng’, 22. Brian Osumba, 28. Nicholas Ochieng’, 20. Duncan Owiti

Coach - Zedekiah Otieno

MATHARE UNITED - 16. Martin Musalia: 21. Kelvin Omondi, 18. Jaffer Gichuki, 17. Lloyd Wahome, 4. Dennis Nzomo, 19. Titus Mulama, 5. Joseph Nyagah (23. Kevin Opiyo, 65’), 22. Kevin Kimani, 20. Simeon Mulama (8. Simon Mburu, 85’), 10. Paul Abembo, 24. Andrew Tololwa (27. Jacob Keli, 79’)

Reserves not used - 30. Malcolm Barnaba, 12. Mohammed Hassan, 25. James Omondi

Coach - Francis Kimanzi

Referee - James Kagera (Thika)