Mathare United’s controversial goal denies City Stars................ Sylvester Kirwa has been touted as one of the best referees in Kenya, even earning the status of a Fifa referee. But all this was cast in doubt on Saturday following the manner in which he handled the Kenyan Premier League game between Mathare United and City Stars at Nyayo Stadium. In a bizarre incident, Kirwa called for a free-kick for an infringement on City Stars’ John Amboko as Mathare’s Francis Ouma was preparing for a shot which he hit to score despite the referee’s call. Kirwa then suddenly changed his mind on the infringement and pointed to the centre. City Stars players, who were leading 2-1, protested and threatened to walk off the pitch. Ouma’s controversial goal, however, stood and saw the game end 2-2. Earlier, Jesse Were scored his 11th goal of the season as champions Tusker drew 1-1 with Sofapaka at the same venue. After a dull first-half in which only saw a rifling free-kick by Sofapaka fullback Thomas Wanyama saved by Bonface Oluoch, both teams struggled to control the midfield. Teams opened play But two goals in a space of 45 seconds in the second-half brought some life in the game as the teams opened play in search of a winner. John Njoroge headed home a looping cross from Zimbabwe forward Obadiah Tarumbwa who had rounded Athman Buki in the 53rd minute and released a cross which found Njoroge unmarked to beat Duncan Ochieng in the Sofapaka goal. But that lead lasted only 45 seconds as Sofapaka restarted the game and a good midfield play between former Gor Mahia man Moses Otieno and Ugandan Khalid Aucho saw the latter squeeze a through pass to Were who tapped home. From then on, it was a battle for the winner. Tusker looked the more ambitious side with Were piling pressure on Sofapaka alongside Ishmael Dunga and Andrew Murunga. Tusker coach Robert Matano later took out Murunga for Kevin Oliech but this did not bring much change. Sofapaka veteran goalkeeper Ochieng was twice forced to make daring save, the first from a Dunga shot and another, a misdirected shot from his own defender Felly Mulumba. As the game wore on, both sides looked contented with a draw, the second in as many meetings in seven days. Last weekend, the two sides played to a barren draw. The result saw Sofapaka move to fourth with 24 points from 17 matches. Tusker are eighth with 22 points from 15 games. In the match between Mathare and City Stars, Jimmy Bageya handed the latter the lead with a superb shot from the edge of the box. But Mathare hit back on the 35th minute through Vincent Okello’s deflected free kick which beat goalkeeper Ronny Kagunzi. Mathare struggled in defence and were were made to pay the price in the 75th minute from a corner taken by Bageya and headed home by Joel Sebuliba. Elsewhere, football fans from all corners of the country yesterday paid their last respects to former Kenya Football Fans Association (Kefofa) chairman, Joash Amukayia who was buried on Saturday in Ishivakala village, Ikolomani Division of Kakamega County.
Posted on: Sat, 06 Jul 2013 21:07:47 +0000
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