Gor held as City Stars sink Bandari, deep in the sea

League leaders Gor Mahia dropped more points after being held to a scoreless draw by a resolute Ulinzi Stars at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos while Police and Posta Rangers also settled for a similar scorline.

Despite the draw, Gor maintained their lead at the top of the log with 44 points from 22 matches, four points ahead of second placed City Stars, which beat Bandari 1-0 in an earlier match. Ulinzi retained 11th position with 25 points.

Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry said the match was tough, but they created many chances, which they would have won by two or three goals.

The coach said their opponents were more physical, but despite frustrations of failing to utilise many chances that came their way, they will make amends in their next game.

Ulinzi coach Anthony 'Modo' Kimani said it was a hard match and given that their opponents had remained unbeaten until last weekend when they were beaten by Kenya Police.

Earlier drama unfolded when former Prime Minister Raila Odinga arrived at the stadium incognito and joined fans through gate A taking the security team unaware.

At the Mbaraki Sports Club, Bandari swallowed a bitter pill at the hands of visiting Nairobi City Stars falling 0-1.

The lone goal was scored by attacking midfielder Vincent Owino in the first half to cut short Bandari’s dreams of closing the gap on leaders Gor.

The home side threatened first, with two clear-cut chances in the first half but David Sakwa failed to make the most of the chances.

Owino could have scored earlier on when he breached the Bandari defence, had goalie Joseph Ochuka well beaten  but his header went inches wide.

The Dockers were forced to make three immediate second half substitutes introducing Derrick Nsibambi, Eric Kahiro and Michael Apudo in place of Swaleh Pamba, Abdallah Hassan and birthday boy Umar Kasumba but the trick didn’t work.

The Dockers dropped to fifth on the log while Nairobi City Stars jumped into second place on 37 points.

Reports by Mark Mutuku and Douglas Mutiso