Indeed, the margin could have been bigger with better finishing and some luck. Striker Michael Olunga was lively as ever and apart from the one goal he scored, hit the woodwork and was denied a genuine penalty shout. Meddy Kagere's performance in the match was a bit subdued but he missed a clear chance as well, as did Khalid Aucho, whose well weighted shot glanced the upright on its way out.
Gor’s performance in midfield was excellent too, despite the
absence of club captain Collins “Gatusso” Okoth through injury and Ali Abondo.
The team seemed technically superior and fitter than their opponents for large
parts of play, before allowing Yanga to dominate play in the final parts of the
game.
Gor’s superiority was underlined by the fact that home team
Yanga resorted to numerous fouls to break their Kenyan opponents’ play, paying
dearly with the dismissal of Zambia winger Donald Ngoma in the 23rd minute
after retaliation against Haron Shakava.
Yanga’s home team status was largely nullified by the huge
presence of Simba SC fans, who joined a sizable contingent of Gor Mahia fans, who included opposition leader Raila Odinga, in
chanting ‘Gor Biro’ throughout the match. The two clubs’ sets of fans have a
passionate disliking for each other and readily join supporters of any team
playing against either of the clubs.
With the assured display against the Tanzania league
champions, Gor have proved that their current dominance of Kenyan football is
no accident and that they will be a force to reckon with at this year's CECAFA Club
Cup championships. They might yet win that elusive sixth CECAFA Club Cup after
all.
No comments:
Post a Comment