Kisumu Day on Thursday morning held defending Nyanza region football champions Agoro Sare to a 1-1 draw in the opening game of the regional championship.
The game, initially planned for Wednesday afternoon at Cardinal Otunga High School but was disrupted due to crowd trouble, was played at Kisii School from 7 am.
Geoffrey Omondi gave Agoro Sare the lead in the 65th with a left-foot shot which easily beat Tom Onyango in the Kisumu Day goal.
Kisumu Day rallied and equalised for Kisumu Day five minutes later. Kisumu Day head coach Booker Odhiambo said he was satisfied with a draw.
“It was a very tough game because Agoro Sare are a good team. We conceded because they capitalised on a defensive lapse. My boys fought back and equalised,” said Odhiambo.
He added: “We are likely to meet again in the final and if that is the case, I know we will beat them. The postponement of the game affected my plans but it was wise to push the game to Thursday because of the safety of players.”
Agoro Sare coach Fredrick Akuku said: “We have had a good game. Kisumu Day is a worthy opponent. We appreciate the game they have played. There is no animosity between the two teams. That is a creation of the fans.”
“Everyone is fighting for the one slot to the nationals and our prayer is that we give Nyanza the best team and that team will be Agoro Sare,” he added.
Akuku praised Kisumu Day captain and centre-back Elisha Odhiambo, saying he gave his forwards a hard time. “He was outstanding in defence,” said Akuku.
Agoro Sare’s chief principal Isaac Okeyo said: “We are happy with the draw because it’s our first game. As champions, we are well prepared to retain the trophy.”
Agoro Sare’s goal scorer Omondi said: “We wanted a win but we have now turned our focus to the next game. We want to win our two games so that we top our group.”