Gor Mahia must have plan B

The colourful green army of Gor Mahia was in full display at Nyayo Stadium as Kogalo sought to claim another scalp in their seemingly unstoppable march towards the Tusker Premier League 2015 title.

Their opponents this time were Mathare United who, though placed tenth in the premier league log, appeared not to have read the script and confidently gave back every thing Gor threw at them. It therefore came as no surprise when the slum boys became the first team to score against Gor since the defending champions last conceded a goal way back in April 2015.

Although Gor were the fastest off the blocks, launching several lightening attacks against their opponents, Mathare United eventually settled down and efficiently executed their game plan of closing out striker Michael Olunga and rendering Gor’s wing play ineffective. With all the dominance of Gor in terms of ball possession, Mathare’s keeper Peter Odhiambo remained largely untested in the first half.

Even as they stayed back to absorb Gor’s pressure, Mathare launched occasional counter attacks mainly through stylish forward Eric Johana, who proved he was a growing force in Kenyan football with confident, creative displays against Gor’s defenders. In the 28th minute, he timed his run perfectly to reach a through ball which he confidently slotted past an on-rushing Boniface Oluoch.

Even a much more determined performance at the start of the second half could not breach a well organised Mathare United defence, until Enock Agwanda was brought on by Coach Frank Nuttal. Although the former Sofapaka man is well known for his powerful and energetic runs against opposing defenders, it was his throwing skills that Gor fans seem to have fallen in love with.

Every time the ball went out, the fans screamed wildly for Agwanda to take the throw in. The striker obliged and took two quick throw-ins in succession, the first one destabilising Mathare’s defence, and the second one resulting in Gor’s equaliser via striker Meddie Kagere’s header.

Is this Gor’s plan B? Being the defending champions and as the only unbeaten team in the league, Gor must surely know that every team is now baying for their blood, seeking to become the first team to bring the “Mighty  Kogalo” back down to earth. Every coach in the league must be doing extra home work to discover how they can capitalise on any weakness to tame them.

From Mathare’s display, it appears that this may not be that far off. The champions’ prolific striker Olunga remained largely anonymous, with his two clear chances of the game coming late in the match when Mathare had apparently relaxed their game plan.

Gor Mahia must have another strategy, a plan B, other than solely depending on launching passes to Olunga to knock in or relying on crosses coming in from the team’s wingers. But that plan B should not, surely, be Agwanga’s long throw-ins into opponents' goal area.

The team’s true strengths will soon be tested as they head to Tanzania for the CECAFA Club championships starting in Dar es Salaam in the next one week.