Gor implode in extra time to bow out of CECAFA

Gor implode in extra time to bow out of CECAFA

Isaac Swila in Dar, Tanzania

An extra time capitulation is all it took Gor Mahia to crash out of the Cecafa Kagame Cup after losing 0-2 to Tanazania’s Azam SC in a semi-final match at the National Stadium here in Dar es Salaam.

After the 90-minute regulation time failed to yield any goal, Gor fell behind in the 93rd minute when a defensive mix-up allowed Ditrim Nchimbi to power home the opener, beating goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch to his near post.

The goal sparked life in the contest that had otherwise failed to live to it’s billing and four minutes later, Bruce Kangwa exposed Gor’s rearguard when he dashed on the left wing to beat Oluoch with a composed finish before running to celebrate with the crowd on the terraces.

By beating Gor, Azam wil now face the winner between Simba and Jeshi La Kujenga Uchumi(JKU) in Friday’s final.

Gor’s capitulation could however be attributed to fatigue and heavy legs that was discernible during the match.

This is the second defeat Azam has inflicted on K’Ogalo in this competition, having won 2-0 over the latter in the 2015 final.

K’Ogalo will now play in the third-place play-off on Friday against the loser between Simba and JKU.

Gor lacked it’s usual spark upfront with playmaker Francis Kahata and Ernest Wendo not featuring with injuries.

George “Blackberry” Odhiambo had an effort in the 13th minute land in the waiting hands of Azam goalie Razak Abalora, and it was not until in the 37th minute when Jacques Tuyisenge and Ephrem Guikan exchanged passes in the box but the former fumbled, failing to pull the trigger.

Azam, keen to sail to a second successive final, bossed play in the second half with the lion’s share of possession but Gor’s defence thwarted their efforts during this period.

Gor could have been punished in the 65th minute when Yahya Mudathir beat the offside trap to dash goalwards but his weak short, taken under pressure from Harun Shakava could not trouble Boniface Oluoch in the K’Ogalo goal.

Oluoch pulled off yet another stunning save two minutes later, diving to his left to thwart Ramadhan Singano from close range.

Kerr was forced to make three substitutions in the second half, Joash Onyango coming in for Guikan Ephrem while Lawrence Juma replaced Bernard Ondieki.

Things went awry when Kerr had to bring in Francis Mustapha for injured George “Blackberry” Odhiambo in the 83rd minute compounding the situation for the Kenyan champions.

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Gor Mahia FC Tanzania CECAFA Semis Azam SC bow out

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