Strong Gor give Kerr selection headache

Strong Gor give Kerr selection headache

Head coach Dylan Kerr said Gor Mahia FC were ‘amazing’ as his set up of fringe players hang on for 5-4 shootout win over a near full-strength AFC Leopards in Tuesday’s Hull City Challenge.

Faced with an upcoming high stakes CAF Confederation Cup tie against Rayon Sports on Sunday, Kerr was forced to preserve his star players but they were barely missed as a nerveless second-string Gor saw off Leopards on penalties.

Midfielder Philemon Otieno was put in central defence with Charles Momanyi but that odd partnership produced Gor’s first clean sheet in close to two months when the tie ended 0-0 in regular time.

Kerr had named a completely different starting XI from the one that started in the 2-2 draw with Mathare United on Sunday and those he selected seized the opportunity to put their names back on the first team radar.

“I’m very happy with our performance; for players who have never played together in a 90-minute game to go out and dominate like that is impressive. Our main aim today was to keep a clean sheet which we did.

“Philemon could run through a brick wall for me. He was fantastic today,” Kerr said post-match.

The English tactician refused to label his selection ‘second-string’ but the abrasive Otieno who has fallen behind Ernest Wendo and Humphrey Mieno in the central midfield pecking order will sure give him food for thought.

‘a lot of pressure’

Gor Mahia FC coach Dylan Kerr celebrates his side’s 5-4 shootout victory oevr AFC Leopards SC during their Hull City Challenge Mashemeji derby match at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru on May 01, 2018. Photo/Kelly Ayodi/Sportpicha

“We didn’t convert our chances again which is a problem but at least we created them,” he said.

The Latvia-born Kerr took aim at Gor’s critics, suggesting they should transfer their online reprovals to constructive discussions at his place.

“I have been under a lot of pressure on social media from certain people which is fine because I can accept that. But if you have a problem then come see me at Yaya Centre so we can sit down because we all make mistakes.

“We are trying to build this club to make it bigger and that doesn’t take 10 months to achieve.”

Kerr will be pleased to have defender Godfrey Walusimbi back in the Gor fold after a 45-day self-imposed training exile over a pay feud with the club.

The left-back showed little sign of rustiness during a solid return in which he showed he is physically and mentally ready to return to full first-team action.

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