Gor Mahia sauntered into the semi finals of the 2015 CECAFA
Kagame Cup without breaking too much sweat after beating Malakia of South Sudan
2-1.
The match was more remarkable for the high number of
off-sides committed by Gor Mahia and the many scoring chances spurned by the
Kenyan champions than anything else.
Perhaps due to the quality of opponent they were facing Gor
Mahia appeared contented most of the time to play the game at unharried pace. They even had the generousity to gift Malakia a totally undeserved goal that gave some lustre to an otherwise largely colourless Malakia side. This tie had the markings of a 5-0 whitewash but for Gor's profligacy
With so many games to play at short intervals, fatigue might
be creeping in as the high standards exhibited by Gor at the start of their
campaign, against Yanga and KMKM, were replaced in the match by an element of
complacency that could have proved costly against a more quality side.
While it is understandable for Gor to have elected to
slacken their playing pace against Malakia considering the club'spedigree and the task awaiting ahead, their wastefulness in front of their
opponents’ goal is completely inexcusable, considering the extremely high
level of efficiency displayed by their opponents for the forthcoming semi-final tie.
Although Gor and Al Khartoum played out a 1-1 draw during
their group A match, the circumstances will be totally different in the semis,
where a single mistake, like missing one scoring chance, might prove to be the
difference between proceeding to the final and proceeding to the airport.
In the semi-finals, Gor must play with the same intensity
and commitment as they did in the opening two matches if they hope to eliminate Al Khartoum.
The Kenyan club must have watched as the Sudnese representatives totally tore apart the highly rated APR from Rwanda to entertain any thought of another round of complacency.
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