Gallant Gor through to CAF-Confed group stage, bag Ksh.27million

Gallant Gor Mahia made history on Sunday becoming the only Kenyan club to qualify for the CAF Confederations Cup group stage, for the second year in a row piping Cameroon’s  Douala 2-1 on aggregate, to bag a cool KSh.27 million.

To get to this stage, Gor navigated a tricky first leg in Nairobi last week beating the Cameroonians 2-1 and held firmly in the return leg in Yaounde today for a 0-0 outcome to cruise through to the money-minting group stage where the competition proper is now expected to take centre stage.

Gor were relegated to the Confederations Cup after bowing out of the CAF-Club Championship in the preliminary stage on away goal rule after tying 3-3 with Lobi Stars of Nigeria to all but blow up some Ksh. 56 million that was within reach.

K’Ogalo had begun the competition rather brightly beating the Nigerians with a resounding 3-1 win in Nairobi only to concede two late goals in Nigeria with six minutes to play to bow out.

However, on Sunday, in the intimidating atmosphere that is west Africa, the Hassan Oktay coached charges held their nerves to post a draw thereby rekindling their journey of dining with the best in African high football table.

Gor Mahia forward Jacques Tuyisenge (R) celebrate with teammate Samuel Onyango after scoring against New Stars from Cameroon during their Caf Confederation Cup playoff match at Kasarani stadiumin Nairobi on January 13, 2018. Photo/Oliver Ananda/Sportpicha/Citizen

Contrary to the late mistakes made in Nigeria, Oktay opted for a water-tight defence with Boniface Oluoch manning the goal-posts ahead of Fredrick Odhiambo, while Philemon Otieno, Shafik Batambuze, Joachim Oluoch and Charles Momanyi were entrusted to man the back-line as burly Ernent Wendo and Boniface Omondi partnered in the midfield, allowing creative brain Francis Kahata to roam freely.

Lawrence Juma, Mustafa Francis and Jacques Tuyisenge complete the formation in a three-prong attack.

Gor, like their hosts, created chances but could not shake the net.

The good news for Oktay is that the qualification to this stage accords him the chance to have his newly signed striker Dennis ‘The Menace’ Oliech  for the group stage matches as well as defensive duo Haron Shakava and Joash Onyango who were both suspended for this tie on disciplinary grounds.

 

Starting XI

1. Boniface Oluoch
2. Philemon Otieno
3. Batambuze Shafik
4. Joachim Oluoch
5. Charles Momanyi
6. Ernest Wendo
7. Boniface omondi
8. Lawrence Juma
9. Jacques Tuisenge
10. Mustafa Francis
11. Francis Kahata
Reserves
12. Fredrick Odhiambo
13. Wellington Ochieng
14. Pascal Ogweno
15. Cercidy Okeyo
16. George Odhiambo
17. Benard Ondiek
18. Erisa Ssekisambu
Technical bench
1. Hasan Oktay Coach
2. Zedekiah Otieno deputy coach
3. Jolawi Obondo Tm
4. Willis Ochieng Gk trainer

Tags:

GOR MAHIA CAF Confederations Cup Cameroon New Star de Doula Ksh 27million

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