Gor show guile and class, put Zamalek to the sword

Kenyan powerhouse Gor Mahia showed guile, class, endurance and tremendous energy, rallying from a goal down to seal a memorable 4-2 win over battling Zamalek of Egypt in a CAF Confederations Cup Group D match at the Moi International Sports Centre , Kasarani on Sunday.

Rwandan import Jacques Tuyisenge bagged a brace while Nicholas Kipkirui added another  for a 3-2 lead for K’Ogalo while Ibrahim Hassan scored twice for the visitors before Dennis Oliech came off the bench to kill the game, exhibiting tremendous calmness and goal-poaching skills for a 4-2 win.

Kipkirui, after notching his fist international goal for Gor, had to be pulled out in the second half with an injury and in his place came Oliech who gave the Zamalek defence lots of trouble .

The win sets Gor off to a flying start in the group games as they bid to snatch a ticket to the Cup quarters.

At Kasarani, Gor’s passionate fans turned up in impressive numbers, eager to see their team atone for the ill-tempered 1984 clash against the Egyptians that ended in a two-year ban for K’Ogalo  in continental matches, and what a way it ended for them!

The afternoon seemed to go awry as early as the 7th minute when the home side fell behind, thanks to an error by custodian Boniface Oluoch, but Tuyisenge hauled them level after 27 minutes, turning the game on his head, before nodding in a second from a Francis Kahata chipped pass, beating the opposing goalie to his near post at the right.

Zamalek, undettered fought back to equalise with two minutes to the break, through their danger man Ibrahim Hassan, breaking the hearts of Gor fans.

However believe seemed to be in plenty among Hassan Oktay charges.They passed the ball majestically at the centre of the pack with Kahata instrumental in the attacks.

Their forward play led to Kipkirui’s third, before his replacement Oliech silenced his critics with a neat left-foot strike late in the game to hand Gor a sweet savoured win, bragging rights, and with it, a revenge on the Egyptians!

From this impressive win, K’Ogalo will now train their arsenal on Angolan powerhouse Petro Atletico which Allan Wanga turned out for in his heydays, the match penciled for Luanda on February 13. Winning away will give K’Ogalo more focus and confidence as they bid to make their African journey memorable after falling short last term.

29. Boniface Oluoch, 26. Philemon Otieno, 6. Shafik Batambuze, 15. Joachim Oluoch, 27. Charles Momanyi, 21. Kenneth Muguna, 11. Boniface Omondi, 24. Lawrence Juma, 8, Francis Kahata, 7. Nicholas Kipkirui, 9. Jacques Tuyisenge
30. Substitutes
    1. Fredrick Odhiambo, 4. Wellington Ochieng, 3. Samuel Onyango, 25. George Odhiambo, 22. Erisa Ssekisambu, 14. Dennis Oliech, 18. Haron Shakava