All not lost for Gor despite heavy loss to Algers, says Rachier

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier has said the 4-1 defeat the Kenyan record champions suffered in the hands of USM Alger on Sunday had nothing to do with travel logistics.

Instead, Rachier said the match was purely won and lost on the pitch, keeping faith K’Ogalo has a chance of reviving their next round chances when the Algerian side visits Nairobi in a fortnight.

Speaking to Citizen Digital on Monday evening, Rachier however conceded the travel plans were not easy given the financial issues the club is facing.

“We had financial issues but we could not raise enough funds as we expected in the Tuesday funds drive. The Government offered us 18 air tickets which catered for 16 players, head coach and Team Manager. The remaining five players we sorted using the little amount we had for their tickets. We met the hotel expenses fully and we were comfortable before the match. We cannot therefore associate the loss with the finance issues,” told Rachier.

The chairman also defended goalkeeper David Mapigano who was accused by a section of fans in the social media for the heavy loss.

“I didn’t travel with the team thus I didn’t get a chance to watch the match. I only saw in the internet many people attacking the keeper but I will wait for the team to jet back tomorrow and I will follow it up with the coach. I want to believe he gave his best, because we lost as a team,” noted Rachier.

Return match

The return leg of the clash will be staged on September 29 at the Moi Sports International Centre Kasarani, where Rachier expects with good preparation K’Ogalo can reduce the three-goal deficit.

“I believe the team after landing from Algeria they head straight to camp to prepare, having seen where things did not work away to Algiers.

“I only urge our fans to come in large numbers to support us during the return match. Our opponents always get maximum value of supporters, which we need at home too. Gor is bigger than all of us and we need to come together to support the team,” added Rachier.

Gor has an enormous task, needing at least a 3-0 victory over Alger to advance in the CAF Champions League, having eliminated Burundi’s Aigle Noir in the preliminaries.