GOR Mahia could only manage another draw at Sony Sugar’s ground in Saturday’s Kenyan Premier League action when they tied 1-1 with a team they had not beaten at Awendo for more than a half a dozen years.

The visitors fancied their chances of breaking the jinx when Francis Ocholla gave Gor the lead in the 50th minute but it was cancelled by Fred Onyango in the 71st minute. Then Gor had to survive an onslaught and possibly another loss at the Sony fortress.

Winless after four games, one of them lost, Gor Mahia have not had the start of season they hoped for as they gaze up the table from 11th position.

Nairobi City Stars 2 Chemelil 1

In Nairobi, home team Nairobi City Stars beat Chemelil 2-1 at Hope Centre but not before the City team fighting hard in the second half to contain the visitors who traditionally better in Nairobi matches than at the home in Chemelil.

David Oriki gave Chemelil a 39th minute lead. He headed in a free kick taken from the edge of the box on the right flank where a teammate had been fouled.

But David Gateri, a substitute for the Stars in the 45th minute, scored with his first touch in added time. It was from a similar infringemement but Gateri went for a direct free kick beating the Chemelil 'keeper with a brilliant well placed left foot ball high into the net at the near post.

The goal pulled back just before the break gave City Stars confidence to resume well and after speedy forward Jimmy Bageya had missed two chances, Fred Okello rifled in a shot from outside the box after being queued by Gateri, to beat John Wahu in the Chemelil goal.

It was City Stars’ first win after a triple of draws since the start of the season.

The SuperSport “live” TV match of the day at Kawangware was as usual a treat for neighbourhood fans, most of them deliriously happy children.

TEAMS:

NAIROBI CITY STARS - 1. Joseph Ruto Kiplagat: 2. Justus Basweti, 22. Simon Juma Ogutu, 18. Arthur Museve, 19. Donald Mosoti, 5. Kevin Nyongesa (24. Collins Ochieng’, 78’), 7. Francis Thairu, 12. Jimmy Bageya, 13. Levy Mwaka (captain), 9. Tony Nyang’or (17. David Gateri, 45’), 4. Fred Okello

Reserves not used - 28. Kevin Otieno, 20. David King’atua, 14. George Odari, 21. Joseph Amboko, 27. Lawrence Nyamboki

Scorers - 17. David Gateri (45+), 4. Fred Okello (77’)

Coach - Kennedy Odhiambo

CHEMELIL - 1. John Wahu: 20. Aggrey Mukhwambo, 14. Jacob Nwangi, 15. Jose Kizito, 5. Jones Agembe, 12. Enoch Sichangi, 13. Willis Ouma, 8. Wycliffe Opondo (captain), 6. Joseph Mwangi, 7. Milton Odera (4. Kevin Ngugi, 73’), 28. David Oriki (18. George Odero, 81’)

Reserves not used - 22. Kenneth Onyanch, 21. Oluoch Odingo, 2. Samuel Otieno, 9. Charles Okumu, 17. Tony Opondo

Scorer – 28. David Oriki (39’)

Coach - Mike Mururi

Referee – Haji Adede (Mumias)

Sony Sugar 1 Gor Mahia 1

George “Blackberry”Odhiambo coolly placed the ball on oncoming Francis Ocholla’s path and the not very regular Gor forward calmly placed it past advancing Sony ‘keeper Evans Omondi in the 50th minute

It was Gor Mahia’s first goal of the season with four matches played which should be a bit of worry.

Sony reacted by stepping up their game. Coach Rishadi Shedu made a tactical change bringing in Dodo Kayombo for Silas Aluvisia. It paid off. In the 71st minute Kayombo collected a loose ball, beat defender Christopher Wekesa before bringing in a beautiful cross which was expertly thumped in by brilliant Sony midfielder Fredrick Onyango. The equalizer earned tumultuous ululations from Sony fans who have not experienced defeat at Awendo by Gor Mahia in seven years.

Sony would have gone ahead in the in the 83rd minute but Steve Biko’s shot that beat Gor ‘keeper Fredrick Onyango was ruled for an offside by referee Tabitha Wambui who officiated the match without any bad incident.

Gor’s sensational striker “Blackberry”Odhiambo was a pale shadow of himself having been marked out of the game by Sony defenders comprising Daniel Otieno and Daniel Odhiambo.

But Gor midfielder Ibrahim Kitawi was a source of trouble to the Sony backline.

The match produced fire works and good football from both sides to the thrill of the packed stadium.

Gor coach Gideon Ochieng’ was satisfied with the draw, he said: “The match was tough. Sometimes it’s better to get one point away from home .The strategy should be that if you can’t get the three points you better get one.”

Shedu was not elated. “I am disappointed because we played well created chances but we did not utilize them.”

TEAMS:

SONY SUGAR - 21. Evans Omondi: 17. Cylus Shitote, 6. Jean Koffi, 3. Daniel Odhiambo, 2. David Otieno, 20. Frederick Onyango, 8. Hedmond Ochieng’ (28. Kayombo Dodo, 50’), 9. Abdulrahman Yusuf, 12. Steve Biko, 26. Silas Aluvisia (13. Moses Arita, 80’), 17. Marwa Chamberi (25. Hussein Puzzo, 55’)

Reserves not used - 1. Collins Oduor, 15. Luke Ochieng’, 16. Peter Juma, 5. Sylvester Wanyama

Scorer - 20. Frederick Onyango (71’)

Coach - Rishadi Shedu

GOR MAHIA - 1.Fredrrick Onyango: 4 Julius “Awillo” Owino (captain), 3. Christopher Wekesa, 28. Nicholas Otieno, 2.Francis Akang’o, 6. Anthony Akumu, 22. Brian Osumba, 25. George Odhiambo (John Kiplagat 82’), 9. Baldwin Ngwa (17. Dan Makoni, 52’), 10. Zablon Otieno (24. Ibrahim Kitawi), 7. Francis Ocholla

Scorer – 7. Francis Ocholla (50’)

Reserves not used - 23.Gradus Ochieng’, 21. Andrea Ongwae, 30. Elisha Ochieno, 8. Tony Onyango

Scorer - 7. Francis Ocholla (50')

Coach - Gideon Ochieng

Referee - Tabitha Wambui (Nairobi)

1st assistant referee - Moses Waswa (Bungoma)

2nd asst. referee - Frederick Wafula (Nakuru)

4th official - Evans Onyancha (Nakuru)

Western Stima 1 Sher Karuturi 1

At Bukhungu Stdaium Allan Otindo gave Sher Karuturi the 40th minute lead after being set through by Alfred Chole.

Stima responded bravely in the second half and their efforts paid dividends in the 80th minute when Brian Masiolo levelled amid thunderous cheers from home fans.

In the dying minutes, Sher were reduced to 10 men after Mustapha Mohammed was sentd off for his second bookable offence by referee James Omondi.