Gor Mahia robbed? K'Ogalo drop points against Bandari amid controversial penalty reversal
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 19.04.26. | 18:45
The record league champions had hoped to claim maximum points and go five points clear at the top
A controversially reversed penalty was the highlight moment of the match, as an off-colour Gor Mahia played Bandari to a barren draw on Sunday at Kasarani Stadium.
Gor thought they had benefitted a free hit, from the spot late in the second half, after the centre referee, Phanuel Omire, awarded a penalty for a foul on Shariff Musa.
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However, the whistler reversed the decision amid heavy protests from Bandari players who were quickly restrained by members of the technical bench from further accosting the referee.
Television replays showed that Musa was not hacked down, in the area by his markers, but in the middle of the pushing and shoving, Bandari goalkeeper and skipper Allaine Ngeleka went into the book for dissent.
Visibly infuriated Bandari players aggressively charged at Omire, with Ngeleka going straight into the book for appearing to physically accost the official.
The incident came barely 20 minutes after Gor Mahia, through their social media accounts, reported that their dressing room had been broken into with the unknown miscreants making away with valuables.
What might have added salt to Gor Mahia's injury is the fact that the referee blasted the final whistle with three minutes remaining on the clock.
The fourth official had indicated five minutes of added time, with Omire ending the match after just two minutes of play, much to the disappointment of the Gor fans.
Prior to the match, Gor sought to go five points clear after their closest challengers, AFC Leopards fell 3-0 to Kenya Police on Saturday.
Bandari, on the other hand, were keen to arrest their recent winless streak.
Determined not to slip again, Gor Mahia began the match with a high tempo, looking to score early goals.
K’Ogalo almost took the lead inside three minutes when Musa left his marker, but Jackson Dwang could not convert from the cut back.
Bandari had their first opportunity in the 10th minute through a Darius Msagha free kick but it was well dealt with by Enock Morrison.
Bandari almost scored in the 25th minute when Msagha floated in a corner that troubled the Gor Mahia defense but was eventually cleared by Brighton Onyona.
Gor had a golden opportunity in the 42nd minute when Assifuah played in Dwang' on goal but the latter’s shot inside the box went inches wide.
Second Half
In a bid to strengthen their attack, Bandari introduced Frank Ouya at half time for Wadri.
On their part, Gor Mahia intensified their search for goal and took the first attempt through Dwang' in the 46th minute, but his left foot strike missed the target.
Morrison then attempted a long range strike two minutes later but his shot went directly into the arms of Ngeleka.
Assifuah missed a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock in the hour mark when he got to the end of a low cross from Ochuoga but his strike from the six yard box was directed straight at Ngeleka.
On the other end of the pitch, Ouya isolated Frank Odhiambo but his shot from outside the box went off target.
Gor introduced Patrick Essombe and Lawrence Juma for Alpha and Adukwaw in the 72nd minute in desperate search for a goal.
Drama would then ensue in the 83rd minute when the referee awarded Gor a penalty for a foul on Musa inside the box.
With Gor awaiting to take the penalty, the referee after consultations with the fourth official reversed his decision.
Gor Mahia Starting XI: Gad Mathews, Paul Ochuoga, Mike Kibwage, Frank Odhiambo, Bryton Onyona, Alpha Onyango, Enock Morrison, Jackson Dwang', Ebenezer Adulwaw, Ebenezer Asiffuah, Shariff Musa.
Bandari FC Starting XI: Allain Ngeleka, Joseph Onyango, Erickson Mulu, Brian Odera, Shariff Amubwombe, Said Tsuma,Amza Ndayou, Darius Msagha, Abdalla Hassan, William Wadri, Clifford Otieno