Player go-slow led to the 6-0 humiliation in Algeria, says Omollo

Player go-slow led to the 6-0 humiliation in Algeria, says Omollo

Gor Mahia CAF Champions League stand-in coach Sammy Omollo ‘Pamzo’ has attributed their poor performance in the CAF Champions League first leg round one tie against Algeria’s CR Belouizdad to lack of proper preparation occasioned by player go-slow.

In an interview with Citizen Digital, Omollo said players didn’t show commitment in training over non-payment of salaries noting that the issue needs to be addressed by the management if Gor is to make an impression in Africa.

KÓgalo were humiliated 6-0 in the Algerian capital Algiers to leave their chances of progressing to the group stage hanging by the thread.

He said.  “A number of factors contributed to our dismal performance in Algeria and I could see the players not giving their all in training with the complaints being non-commitment to cater for their ‘welfare’. They were demanding salaries ahead of the trip and this demoralized them a lot.’’

‘Pamzo’ however said going forward he will not tolerate go slows and will use players who are ready to play saying Gor is a big name that needs not to drop at this stage. He urged players to be dedicated as the management works on their welfare asking the office to move with speed and address such issues.

The Posta Rangers head coach also rued missing the services of skipper Kenneth Muguna and Nicholas Kipkurui who never made the trip to Algeria. Muguna skipped the trip with an injury while Kipkurui is said to have been left behind to attend to family matters.

Omollo said it was matches of such calibre that any coach would wish to have ‘his best players’ on board saying the absence of the two was a big blow to the local giants.

“Muguna is a key player in Gor and his absence robbed us of some experience in the midfield. We are aware he was not fit for the trip but we missed him altogether. Kipkirui was instrumental in our advancement to this stage courtesy of his winner against APR . We needed his experience here as well but we had no option after he chose to remain behind,” added the former Gor defender.

In the meantime ‘Pamzo’ has hailed their Algerian opponents CR Belouizdad terming them the ‘most organized and dedicated team in Africa’.

CR Belouizdad thrashed Gor 6-0 in a first leg round one tie of the CAF Champions League in Algeria four days ago, leaving Pamzo in awe of their skills.

Pamzo added that their opponents were so ”accurate, fast and too smart” for KÓgalo saying that the Algerian team is a side that must be watched keenly in Africa.

‘’I can tell you for sure in my entire playing and coaching career, I have never seem such an organized team in Africa. They were pacy and never lost balls easily. That is a team to watch in Africa,’’ he explained.

The humiliating defeat was an extension of the embarrassment Gor  have endured in the hands of the north Africans, losing to USM Algers and Hussein Dey, all from Algeria,  in  recent years.

Should the Algerian giants beat Gor on aggregate, the Kenyan side will drop to the CAF Confederations play-offs.

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GOR MAHIA CAF Champions League Algeria Sammy Omollo 'Pamzo' CR Belouizdad Player go-slow Stand-in Coach

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