Gor need identity to start dominating again Ogolla

Gor Mahia FC legend John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla says the lack of a consistent starting line-up could hurt the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champion’s quest for glory in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Gor begin their hunt for a place in the Confederation Cup quarter-finals on Sunday when they host Egyptian giants Zamalek for their first group stage clash in Kasarani but have no discernible XI so far.

Ogolla was among the distinguished group of players who featured in the 1987 Mandela Cup that was won by Gor following a two-legged final victory over Espérance Sportive de Tunis.

“Gor Mahia are in a transitional period after Dylan Kerr left and since the new coach arrived they are yet to settle; this can be very dangerous when facing an established team like Zamalek.

“Last year’s team was better placed to beat Zamalek but despite the rough time that this current team faces Gor can still pull a surprise on Sunday,” he said.

Having swaggered into their 17th KPL title last season under Kerr, Gor look out-of-sorts this term and have only managed to win four league matches from nine outings to leave them sitting eighth on the table.

After winning back to back Super Cup crowns, the K’Ogalo finally surrendered the regional title when they were knocked out on penalties by the Tanzanian minnows Mbao FC at the first hurdle.

Zamalek, on the other hand currently sits at the helm of the 18-team Egyptian Premier League on 44 points from 18 matches, having won 14, drawn thrice and lost one.

And Gor’s former defender says it’s all down to the slow transition of the team from  Dylan Kerr’s error to Hassan Oktay.

“This team still doesn’t have a first Eleven   it is something that has affected their consistency in all the competitions they have participated in so far.

“The standards in continental football are totally different from the local football, for a team to succeed you need to be solid in every department  have enough depth and consistency which I think Gor  are still building on that but it’s not too late ”he added.

Having won the Caf Champions League 5 times  Gor and Coach Hassan Oktay will be under pressure to get his boys off to a winning start in the group match but they must be keen not to concede an away goal says the former assistant coach.

“Any time Gor concedes an away goal  they end up struggling in the way matches, they are in a very tough group and these are some of the things they have to avoid .Kogalo must win all their home matches which I think they are capable of doing ,”Ogolla told Citizen Digital

The match kicks off at 4pm at Kasarani . K’Ogalo will thereafter fly out to Angola to play their second Group D match slated for February 13 in Luanda.

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KPL John 'Bobby' Ogolla CAF Confederation Cup

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