First we are greatful for the journey mercies as we travelled from Nairobi to Mombasa. Secondly Ogochee was not left at any station another reason to be thankful. We arrived in Mombasa very early and relaxed as the team awaited the first fixture of the tour. Team Kikuyu easily spent the better part of the morning deep sea diving to improve their zigwembe. Team Zlatan relaxed with a light lunch of minced meat and herbs as Waire was proving an exceptional chef with trusted aide serving as his aide. The gas was being treated to different ranges of heat, as the aroma lifting across the room was proofing insatiable. However, Team Ones had no mercy, as a five kg ugali was immediately cooked. Kimsey might have not made it for the trip but his legend continues to live with us in the amount cooking that underwent. Top striker Sisco was feed this heavy meal to help boost his goal scoring opportunities. In fear of Coastal "majini" Ogochee took his Bible to bed to keep him safe from any undergoing. The afternoon was passed quietly with no incident as everyone geared for the game. 3:30 the departure was one as we left the hotel for the game. But who is Ogochee? The ever eventful Nigerian had left without his boots as the team wondered what he had carried in his bag because he was already kitted to the game. An immediate U-turn and we were racing back to the hotel to pick the legendary Ogochee boots. Back to the road and after 30 minutes of traffic we were welcomed to Mombasa sports club. The line up was out, Babu in goal, Waire and Droopy on fullback duty, Izzo and Bassanga in centerback. The Governor protected the defence supported Captain of the day Collinso and Chubar. On the wings had Rasco and Dubiz with Sisco trusted to break is two month goal drought. The teams goal was simple, to keep the ball and play the simplest of balls. The first half was full of chances as Sisco had a shot go wide. Meanwhile Droopy was having a personal battle with one of Mombasa's pacey wingers. Chef Waire and Rasco were running the left wing which was proving the main threat. Chubar released Sisco to a one on one opportunity but his delay allowed the defence to cover and deny him an opportunity. Another exchange that had Waire take a wild dummy that took out two defenders to release Sisco ended with Dubiz having his shot saved by the goalkeeper. It was clear that Parklands had the upper hand as they dominated the game but feel guilty of missing several chances. Chubar released Rasco as he was one on one with the goalkeeper with the nearest defender at center half of the pitch. With only the keeper to beat, Rasco was indecisive as his delay allowed the keeper to cover him as he shot wide. However, the momentum was with Parklands as Chubar released Sisco who with only the goalkeeper to beat, controlled the ball and broke his goal drought finessing to the bottom left corner. Mombasa sports club went close to an equalizer, but Izzo was having a great game despite his injured as he made inception after inception proving solid at the back. Clearly the best player of the half, he was covering the fullbacks and making sure clearences. For the umpteenth time Chubar released Rasco with only a defender to beat, forcing the defender to handle the ball to prevent the definite attack. The referee only saw a yellow card would suffice. Parklands moment continued to grow as Sisco went close with a header from a Collinso cross. Making the end of action as the first half ended. In came Zlatan for Mutua Kiptoo Yego for Collinso, Mitch for Droopy, Lefty for Waire, Ogochee for Izzo, Brain Yego for Dubiz. Parklands restarted the half like they had the previous half on a very strong foot. Good works from Brian Yego and Chubar had Chubar lay the ball to Sisco who took a powerful shot from 18 yards beating the goalkeeper with power as Parklands went two nill up and we're already dreaming of a famous victory in Mombasa Sports Club. But that marked the shift in momentum as the game turned unplayable. Mombasa Sports Club iniated foul after foul as the referee also forgot his duty of impartiality as favors began to shift to Mombasa Sports Club. Bassanga was fouled just Infront of the 18 yard box which the referee balantly ignored before awarding a reverse freekick to Mombasa Sports Club after their player took a dive. The resulting freekick ricoshaded against the wall wrong footing Babu and into the corner. With the referee on their side, Mombasa Sports Club were attacking in droves. Everytime the ball was released would comeback twice as hard. With the defending being on heat, a clear denial of a goal scoring opportunity resulted in a yellow card for Mitch and a freekick for Mombasa Sports Club. Nothing came from the freekick as the match continued to continue in craziness. A corner kick from Parklands was collected by the goalkeeper to produce a quick counter attack. A defense splitting pass had the Mombasa Sports Club striker on goal with Babu. A last ditch tackle from Mitch had him sent early to the showers, despite winning the ball. The protest that the ball was collected without any contact had no bearing to the referee who neither understood English nor Swahili, as the coastarians say "haskii la mwadhini Wala la mteka maji msikitini" With Mombasa Sports Club questing for an equalizer a cross from the right found their attacker in acres of an offside position as he tapped in for the equalizer. The referee eager to appease the locals refused any protest from Parklands as the home team drew level. Enyewe mcheza kwao hutuzwa. But Parklands were not willing to take it all laying down, as for the second time Mombasa sports club in a clear offside position scored the third goal that even infuriated the neutral locals that had come to watch the game. This time the team protested and when they were not heard, the game ended prematurely. Had doned the game ended in bad taste with little handshake occuring between the opposing players as even the home team ran to their changing room ashamed of the referees showing. A great game nevertheless, a great showing and definitely not the result or the ending that we travelled over 500 miles to encounter
