By Austin Oduor Otieno,

Western Stima today Sunday evening forced league leaders and defending champions Gor Mahia to a goaless draw in a thrilling encounter at the Moi   Stadium in the lake side city of Kisumu.

Just before the match and as early as morning,buses ferrying fans from as far as Nairobi assembled at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground near the Central Business District chanting ans singing songs of praise for their team Gor Mahia.

Just before the kickoff,Team Western Stima led by veteran Coach Henry Omino were the first to get to the stadium before Gor Mahia followed 15 minutes later just halft an hour before the kick off time.

The stadium was full to its capacity with majority of the fans tipping Kogallo to carry the day,The 25,000Capacity Moi Sadium was more than half full just 10 minutes before kickoff.However the fans that had filled the outside of the stadium forced themselves in forcing the security to be very vigilant.

The match kicked off with Gor Mahia entering in the stadium with applause from the passionate Gor fans, with Western stima in their traditional yellow blue jersey and Gor in the usual away kit.

Gor Mahia were the first tema to show early signsd of scoring when Khalid Aucho put Hudson Muhako of Stima down.However Karim Nzigiyamana saved the resultants free kick after Stima’s Ronald Okoth was left with him and the goalkeeper.

In the 8^th minute, a counter attack engineered by Blackberry ending in the foot of Timothy Otieno resulted to a corner after Stima defender interrupted it.The corner was taken by George Odhiambo but was however not fruitfull as Stima keeper was up to task.

In the 12^th minute,Western Stima players no 2 who was a thorn in the flesh for mighty Kogallo shot straight at Gor Mahia keeper Boniface Oluoch. 5 minutes later,the fans at the terrace area started booing the referre for failing to caution Western Stima player fouling Timothy Otieno.

Western Stima were caught in several offside positions with the most controversial being the 18^th minute call.in the 22’ minute Timothy Otieno dribbled past the stima defenders only for the resultant free kick to go wide after a George Odhiambo connection.

In the 22^nd minute,a beautiful looping ball  by Khalid Aucho was parried away by the Western Stima goalkeeper for a corner .

Timothy Otieno was judged to have fouled a western Stima defender in the subsequent free kick.

In the 28’ minute ,Ali Abondo who scored the winning goal in their previous match with Sony was close to score but was brought down by Western Stima goalkeeper Gabriel Andika who got injured and the game was stopped for 3 minutes.

Call for substitution forced Coach Frank Nuttal to bring in Ernest Wendo for Innocent Wafula who was wasteful at goal.

On resumption, Meddie Kagere came close to putting Gor Mahia ahead but his shot was parried away for a corner which was taken by Ali Abondo.The corner however did not materialize to a goal as George Odhiambo bicycle kick went wide.

The game ended with Gor Mahia the better side but with no goals at the breather.

The second half begun with both teams trying to get the winning goal but it was the visiting team who were so hungry at goal with Meddie Kagere coming to close for the opening goal only for The stima Keeper to save.

In the 65’ Ali Abondo’s shot went wide as fans started chanting and calling for a substation.

5 minutes later Western Steam came closer to scoring but Boniface Oluoch in Gor goal saved.

The game was now so even 30 minutes in the second half with both teams so cautious though Gor Mahia decided to attack with 10 minutes to end of regulation time.

In the 8^th minute Gor Mahia wasted what could have been the winning goal when Meddie Kagere and George Odhiambo played one on one with the goalkeeper.

With less than 5 minutes to the end of normal time, Western Stima goalkeeper Gabriel Andika got injured causing a delay ,however a free kick taken by Ali Abondo after Khalid Aucho was brought down close to the penalty area was sent wide.

Both teams tried to get the winning goal in vain.Centre referee blew the final whistle as the game ended 0-0.

The draw pushes Western Stima to the 3^rd place in the log with 19 points with Gor Mahia maintaining the top position and 6 points clear.

Gor now welcomes Nakuru All stars next weekend as Western Stima travel to Nairobi to meet Mathare United.

Squads

Western Stima Starting XI: 1. Gabriel Andika (GK), Dennis Sikhai, Hudson Muhako, Joash Onyango, Vitalis Akumu, Fredrick Shimonyo, Daniel Makachi [John Kiplagat 50’], Eston Esiye [Victor Ochieng’60’], Baron Oketch, Daniel Kamau [Hedmond Mauda 75’], Ronald Okoth

Unused Subs: Stephen Odhiambo (GK), David Okello, Victor Oduor , Fredrick Nyarombo

Gor Mahia Starting XI :23. Bonface Oluoch (GK) 5. Musa Mohammed. 14. Karim Nizigiyimana. 3. Abouba Sibomana 18. Harun Shakava 30. Ali Abondo  22. Meddie Kagere. 9. Timothy Otieno [7. Ronald Otieno 67’], 25. George Odhiambo 10. Khalid Aucho 29. Innocent Wafula [20. Ernest Wendo 90+1’]

Unused Subs: 1. Jerim Onyango (GK) 15. Bernard Odhiambo 27. Simon Pierre 17. Eric Ochieng, 4. Kevin Oluoch

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com