Gor must bring on their very best against Azam in CECAFA Cup final

As they prepare to face home team Azam FC in the 2015 CECAFA Kagame Cup final later today in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Gor Mahia must be ready to put on their very best display if they are to win a cup that has eluded them for 30 good years.

After starting their 2015 campaign brilliantly against Yanga and KMKM of Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar respectively, the Kenyan champions put on unconvincing performances against Al Khartoum of Sudan and Djibouti’s Telekom in their group matches.

Gor Mahia continued this trend at the quarter final stage against South Sudan’s Malakia, whom they unconvincingly beat 2-1. In that match, leading striker Olunga barely made a mark, several players wasted clear scoring chances, and the defence even went to sleep at some point, allowing Malakia to score a totally undeserved goal.

By the semi-finals stage, Gor Mahia realised that Al Khartoum were a dangerous side, especially after the Sudanese representatives dismantled Rwandan champions APR 4-0.

Unlike the 1-1 draw registered against Al Khartoum at the group stages, Gor this time round put on perharps their best performance at the tournament, coming from a goal down to secure a convincing and thoroughly deserved 3-1 victory against the Sudanese, and with it, earned a mouth watering final date against Azam FC.

All of Gor’s departments functioned perfectly, with the defence completely shutting out a very prolific Al Khartoum side. In fact, Gor defended as a team, with lively striker Olunga, back at his best again, often joining in defence and helping launch several counter attacks.

The striker’s industry paid off as he scored one of Gor’s three goals, increasing his own tally to five and putting himself in prime position to win the golden boot.

Gor must play even better in the final to win their sixth CECAFA Kagame Cup. Not only are Azam FC enjoying home team status, they have also proven they are very solid defensively.

Upto the final stage, the team are yet to concede a goal in open play. The only three goals scored against them by Yanga came via a penalty shootout after a 0-0 deadlock in regulation time. The club’s coach Stuart Hall, who previously coached Kenya’s Sofapaka, has been singing praises about his team’s strong defence in the media.

Gor must recognise this and plot how to breach Azam’s defence even as they plan their own defence against a dangerous Azam forwardline spearheaded by Tanzania’s John Boko and Kipre Cheche of Cote d’ivore.

The Kenyan representatives have proven at this championships, as they have throughout the 2015 season, that they can match and beat any body, and they have highly talented individual players who can carry the team if necessary.

This is an opportunity that Gor must not let slip as they plot their way back to the great heights they once soared in African football.