Gor reclaim top spot despite lacklustre draw against Bandari

Despite being held to a frustrating and lacklustre 0-0 draw against Bandari in a Sunday league match played at Nyayo National Stadium, record Kenyan champion Gor Mahia managed to reclaim the top spot in the league standings as they extended their unbeaten start in the 2021/2022 season to eight games.

"It is frustrating that we played out to a draw today but at the end of the day Bandari were a very good side with solid defensive organization. At the end of the day, we have to take going back at the top of the table and maintaining the unbeaten start," Harrison remarked

"When you play against these big teams, it is important that if you cannot win then you do not allow yourself to lose. We played really well defensively but we missed a lot of chances that would have won us the game if we had taken them," said Mbungo.

In a match that lacked real conviction in front of goal, both sides struggled to create anything meaningful in a game that looked promising straight from the onset.

Before even the dust had settled in the match, Gor Mahia showed glimpses of their intent as they made a flying getaway off the blocks with two chances in the opening five minutes.

Just two minutes in, John Macharia got the teams first attempt on goal but his header from a Jules Ulimwengu cross lacked conviction as it went wide off target.

Former Wazito defender Dennis Ng'ang'a was next to threaten from a Fred Nkata cross from the left but his attempt, although closer than the first, just rolled agonizingly past the post with Bandari's goalkeeper Michael Munyika scrambling to get anything on the ball.

Before ten minutes had hit the clock, Bandari pushed themselves forward as they fashioned their very own first chance in the game. But just as Gor, Umaru Kasumba's header from a William Wadri cross failed to cause any trouble to Gad Mathews in the goal as it went wide off target.

However, if the game sold the possibilities of anything akin to a firecracker in the opening fifteen minutes, the remaining half hour washed away everything as the game dropped into a lull with both teams trading possession but failing to create anything meaningful apart from half chances that really posed no serious threat at all.

Just on the stroke of halftime, Wadri almost broke the deadlock from a free-kick awarded to Bandari just outside the box but the watchful Gad ensured the game went into the break levelled at 0-0 as he made a fingertip save to push the ball out for a corner that was not utilized efficiently.

Upon resumption of the second half, the game made a mirror image to the start of the first half as both teams instantly made attempts on goals.

Macharia tried his luck for Gor as Whyvonne Isuza presented Bandari's case. Although the attempts were on target, there was not too much trouble caused.

Frustrations and disappointment would be the order of the day to both sides as there was nothing forthcoming in the final third.

Not even the support of the section of fans in the grounds could play a part in the game as poured their voices only to end with clicking sounds as chances went begging.

In the end, the game finished in a barren stalemate, Gor reclaiming top spot as they maintained their unbeaten start to the season while Bandari jumped upto sixth.