Month: February 2019

10 man Gor Mahia edge Tusker 1-0

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Butambuze in action against Kevin Omondi

Gor Mahia fought gallantly to edge a tough Tusker side 1-0. The winning goal came from Nicholas Kipkirui who converted a corner. Gor Mahia had been reduced to ten men after goalkeeper Boniface Onyango was sent off.

Additional reporting from Citizen Sports

Both sides got the afternoon ticking with a fair share of chances on both ends but it was the visitors who enjoyed  a slightly fatter share of the ball.

K’Ogallo were forced into an early change after first choice goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch was given matching orders by referee Caroline Wanjala for handling the ball outside his territory after Tusker forward David Juma was set up by a fine through ball from the middle of the pack.

Oluoch stopped Robert Matano’s men from taking the lead in the 26th, but his decision was met with a red card forcing boss Hassan Oktay to sacrifice goal hunter George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo, as back-up goal keeper Shaban Odhoji took up the mantle between the sticks.

The K’Ogallo no. 1 left the pitch limping in what seemed like an injury ahead of their CAF Confederations return leg face-off with Algeria’s NA Hussein Dey in Algiers on Sunday.

Midfielder Samuel Onyango got close to giving the hosts the lead in the first half on three occasions, being denied by the right hand side of Emery Mvuyekure’s post on the stroke of the first half.

The two sides came back for the second half ready to bag all the three points and a series of attacks were lodged on both ends with Gor Mahia the first to reap, 12 minutes into the second half, after goal poacher Nicholas Kipkirui got onto to the end of Shafik Batambuze’s right footed corner.

Matano’s troops lobbied for an equaliser as substitute Bill Oporia got on target by heading in a corner in the 80th minute but the referee ruled it out for a foul on the goal keeper in the build up.

A couple of moments after blowing up a glorious opportunity to double the hosts’ lead, Rwandese forward Jacques Tuyisenge made way for veteran striker Dennis Oliech with five minutes of normal time remaining, marking the first appearance for ‘Wuod Maria’ as he is known in some quarters after the much-publicised  pay dispute with the Gor hierarchy.

Oliech and Onyango both came close in the final moments of the game but sent the ball flying onto the stands, with the Kipkirui solitary goal getting the job done for the 17-time KPL champions.

Gor Mahia vs Tusker in crucial match

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Fresh from their success against Algeria side NA Hussein Dey, Gor Mahia will once again bring their attention back to the local scene. On Wednesday they take on Tusker FC in what promises to a tough encounter. The match will be played at Machakos on Wednesday February 27.

Tusker are only one point behind Gor Mahia. Both sides are eager to remain in the title chase and both are hard pressed to keep up with league leaders Bandari.

It promises to be a tough encounter. Last season Gor Mahia dropped their first points of the season when they were held scoreless by Tusker in February. In the return leg in October, Tusker scored a 1-0 win.

And Tusker have some highly motivated individuals. Coach Robert Matano is always motivated to play Gor Mahia. Former Gor Mahia attacker Timothy Otieno will also want to make his mark against his former club. But the one player who always wakes up from his sleep when playing against Gor Mahia is Kevin Omondi. Inconsistent as he is, the one team he always wants to play well against is Gor Mahia.

Gor Mahia for their part will be looking to make amends for last season when they dropped four points to Tusker. A win is critical in order to keep pace with Bandari. Kahata and Joash Onyango will be missing due to minor injuries. But Kogalo have plenty of confidence after beating Hussein Dey and the return of Dennis Oliech will only serve to further strengthen the team.

Oliech to make a comeback

Gor Mahia are buoyed by the return of striker Dennis Oliech following the intervention of coach Hassan Oktay.

“I was looking forward to have him back and I am very happy that he listened to my request and came for training. He is a real pro. Remember he did not play for two seasons but he came back and is giving 100% for the team. Unfortunately he got injured and couldn’t come with us to Angola but when he recovered he played for 90 minutes (against Western Stima). Not all players are like that.

The coach is full of praise for Oliech whom he says is showing the rest of the players how to be a professional.

“I love to have him in the team because of his experience. He talks to the young players and lends his vast experience to the team. I am telling you any coach would want to have a player like that on the team so I hope that the management can sort out this issues amicably,”

Oktay says Oliech will return Tuesday

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Gor Mahia coach Hassan Oktay believes he has convinced striker Dennis Oliech to return to the club’s training ground on Tuesday.

“I spoke to him (Dennis Oliech) and he is very positive. He has promised me that he will be available for training tomorrow (Tuesday). Dennis is a big name for Kenya, he is a big brand for the country and I need him back.” said Oktay to goal.com

Asked whether the issues have been resolved, Oktay stated that they were small issues that would be resolved in due course.


“I have also promised to help sort out the problems he is currently facing with the club. Those are small issues; that we can sort them because I don’t want him to stay away from the team,” he said

Oliech’s representatives up in arms

However Oliech’s representatives, speaking to the Daily Nation, struck a decidedly different tone.

“Oliech really wanted to be involved in the game (against Hussein Dey), but we felt that he shouldn’t because the club is not appreciating his efforts. It will shock you that since he signed for the club in December, Oliech has not received even a shilling as sign-on fee and he has been playing all that time. ” they told the Nation

They further went on to claim that Oliech did not want a salary or a contract from Gor Mahia.

“Oliech initially wanted to have an open contract so that he draws no salary from the club but only allowances. They refused this offer and said that they must sign him. When Oliech signed, we agreed on a sign-on fee that was to be paid in batches. But three months later, not even the first batch has been remitted. And when we ask about it, the officials keep taking us round in circles. Is that fair?

“Let it be clear that Oliech is not complaining about the salary delay. When we were signing, we knew that salaries can delay but why shouldn’t they pay his sign-on fee as agreed yet they have the money?

The representative further hinted at divisions within the club’s EC

“That secretariat is also very deeply divided and I will not shy off from telling them that what they are doing is wrong. Some officials are telling Oliech to play, and some are telling him not to play because there is money and they are withholding it from him deliberately. What level of unprofessionalism is that?

“They refused to let Oliech play for Gor as a free agent and insisted on his signature. Now Oliech is tied at Gor, and the club is refusing to pay his dues yet when a deal comes through, the club stands to benefit. Is that right?,” posed Ken, Oliech’s elder brother, who was present during the contract negotiations.

Ken Oliech, a former Gor Mahia striker and Oliech’s older brother said the officials are runining the club.

“They are messing up the club. And Oliech is speaking for the voiceless. If they can treat Oliech with such indifference, what about the other players who are too shy to speak up?,” he said to the Nation

Rachier: There is no delay

Club Chairman Ambrose Rachier for his part insists that everything is being done according to the agreed upon process.


“The issue of Oliech is very simple. We shall pay him on March 1 as per our agreement. The agreement was to pay him in instalments and take it from me, we shall do so before the end of this month. The other instalment is due at the beginning of the next season so there is really no issue,” said Rachier to the Nation

Video Highlights: Gor Mahia vs Hussein Dey

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Gor Mahia head coach Hassan Oktay said in a post match interview that it is too early to celebrate anything. Though Gor Mahia have won at home, they must pick a few points away from home in order to progress to the next stage.

 

On Dennis Oliech

Coach Oktay says the club could have used the services of Dennis Oliech who was missing in action after a disagreement with club officials over his signing bonus.

“I missed Dennis (Oliech) very much. He is a professional player and his presence could have been an added advantage. I love the player and I missed him. I will call him tomorrow (Monday) because I want the impasse solved as quickly as possible,” Oktay told Goal

NA Hussein Dey threaten war in return leg

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The Administrator of the official social media pages is quite unhappy at the reception that their team received in Kenya. They claim that their hosts did not properly facilitate training and transportation. They have promised to unleash hell on Gor Mahia as soon as Kogalo players land at the airport.

Below is a screen-shot with a rough translation

Gor Mahia floor NA Hussein Dey 2-0

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Tuyisenge, Mustafa, Kahata, Momanyi, celebbrate the opening goal

Gor Mahia scored a memorable 2-0 win over NA Hussein Dey of Algeria. It marks the first time that Gor Mahia has beaten an Algerian side. The goals came from Francis Kahata and Jacque Tuyisenge.

Additional reporting from Capital Sport

Two late goals from Francis Kahata and Jacques Tuyisenge saw record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia hit Algeria’s NA Hussein Dey 2-0 at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani on Sunday evening to go top of Group D in the CAF Confederations Cup.

The result saw Gor move top with six points while Hussein remained second with four pending the later game between Zamalek and Petro Atletico in Alexandria.

The game looked well to end in a barren draw after Hussein did their end of time wasting tactics throughout the match, but Kahata’s bullet of a shot on his weaker right foot and Jacques Tuyisenge’s third goal of the group phase saw Gor come out victorious in a dramatic tie.

The final five minutes of the game sure made up for all the drama that Hussein’s time slowing tactics had deprived of the game.

Chems Edine Harrag was sent off for bad mouthing the referee just after his side conceded, and there was a near maul in the technical area after K’Ogalo scored the second.

The Hussein bench poured into the Gor side just after they complained of objects thrown at them almost ending in a near fist fight between officials of both sides.

Of the 45 minutes played in the opening half, Hussein players must have spent half of them on the floor trying to kill the momentum of the game whenever Gor were building up play and growing into the game.

They had to make two changes, Ahmed Gasmi and Hocine El Orfi coming off within the first half and replaced by Abderouf Chouiter and Hocine Laribi respectivel.

While Gasmi picked up a head injury after a clash on the air with Samuel Onyango, El Orfi went down in the late stages of the half clutching his calf.

Gor had the chances in the opening half and fairly should have gone back to the dressing room at least a goal up.

In the second minute of the game, Onyango had the game’s first chance when he took the ball well by his chest but his shot on the volley was inches wide.

The visitors came close in the 10th minute when Faouzi Yaya chipped the ball behind the Gor defense but Ouallid Allati’s effort at lobbing the ball over keeper Boniface Oluoch was futile the ball going wide.

Two minutes on the turn, Gor had a brilliant chance to break the deadlock when Nicholas Kipkurui stole the ball off a Hussein defender before squaring to Jacques Tuyisenge whose shot on the weaker left foot was saved by the keeper.

Gor continued to pile pressure on the visitors, forcing them to play on the back foot, but they couldn’t get the final quality ball to break the deadlock.

In the 35th minute, a clean one-two change of passes between Onyango and Tuyisenge saw Onyango break into the box, but the winger was bundled off the ball as he prepared to pull the trigger.

At the stroke of fulltime, Hussein had their first effort at goal when Elyes Yaiche broke into the box, but his shot after being pushed out wide was an easy catch for Oluoch in Gor’s goal.

A few minutes into the second half, Gor were almost caught out for throwing bodies upfield when Harrag sent Yaya through on goal from the left, but the latter’s shot at Oluoch’s near post hit the side netting.

Gor kept the pressure but Hussein defended in numbers and cleared any ball that landed in their zone.

But, they cracked in the final five minutes of the game, Gor taking it home at the death. Kahata broke the deadlock in the 85th minute when he slammed the ball home after picking up a cross from Shafik Batambuze.

Even before the decibel levels in the stadium could lower from Gor’s goal, Tuyisenge sent the Kasarani Stadium into frenzy with what surely was the final nail on Hussein’s coffin, racing to a through ball before lifting it over the keeper.

Despite the small stoppage that endured from the almost ugly trouble at the end, Gor held on for the vital points.

Gor Mahia vs NA Hussein Dey Preview

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Gor Mahia have an opportunity to put their 2018-2019 CAF Cup campaign back on track when they take on group leaders NA Hussein Dey of Algeria on Sunday.

Whereas Gor Mahia lost away to Petro Atletico of Angola last week, the Algerians were impressive in securing a crucial away draw against Zamalek of Egypt. Indeed the Algerians have been on an impressive run on the continental scene this season. They qualified by virtue of finishing third in the Algerian league in 2018. Their impressive run includes aggregate wins over Diables Noires of Congo-Brazza (3-1), Green Eagles of Zambia (2-1), Al Ahly Benghazi of Libya (3-2) as well as a 2-1 over Petro de Luanda.

Coach Oktay is well aware of the danger posed by the Algerians.

“It is a big game. I have watched both their matches and they are a very good team. They were very sharp against Zamalek and in that match I saw some players who are capable of decisively influencing matches.” Oktay said to the Nation

Their continental form has not carried over to the domestic scene. They are currently in eighth place in the Algerian league standings. Their last match was on February 19 when they beat 12th placed CR Belouzidad.

Their best player appears to be their goalkeeper Gaya Merbah who pulled off incredible save after save against Zamalek. It will take something special to beat him. Midfielder Fauz Yaya is the other one to watch. He scored against Zamalek last week. NA Hussein Dey have no players currently in the Algerian national team whose squad is primarily made up of Europe based players particularly Franco-Algerians.

Being a home encounter, this is a must win scenario for Gor Mahia. They will rely on the returning Jacque Tuyisenge for goals. He missed the Petro match due to suspension. Nicholas Kipkirui will once again be relied on for goals. Talisman Dennis Oliech is likely out of this match following a disagreement with club officials over his pay.

Harun Shakava and Shafiq Butambuze who were rested in the midweek match will be called upon to anchor the defence while Francis Kahata and Kenneth Muguna who were also rested should play pivotal roles in midfield.

About NA Hussein Dey

Nasr Athletique Hussein Dey was founded in 1947. They are based in Hussein Dey which is a district in Algiers province. They have only been Algerian champions once (1967). Their best performances in continental football came in 1978 and 1980 when they reached the finals and the semi-finals respectively of the Africa cup winners cup.

They have had in their ranks, some of the greatest players that Algeria has ever produced. Among them are Ali Fergani who was one of the most outstanding players of the 1982 world cup. He was particularly impressive when Algeria shocked Germany 2-1. Fergani was coach of Algeria when Kenya shocked them 3-1 in the late 1990s. Fergani spent 10 years as a player for Hussein Dey, starting in their youth team.

Another famous player to have played for NA Hussein Dey is Rabah Madjer, perhaps the greatest attacker Algeria has ever produced. Madjer also played in the 1982 and 1986 world cup. His defining moment came when he scored for Porto with a clever backheel to secure the UEFA cup.

Oliech not training

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Gor Mahia striker Dennis Oliech is up in arms due to non payment of his dues.

Additional reporting from goal.com

Gor Mahia striker Dennis Oliech is missing from the squad that will face Hussein Dey on Sunday.

Goal understands that the former Harambee Stars captain has vowed not to join the rest of the players in residential camp that starts on Friday over pay. A source privy to the happenings confirmed to Goal that the player was agitated after finding out that he had only been paid Sh100, 000 on Friday.

“All the players were aware that the money will be wired to their respective bank accounts on Friday and when Oliech visited his bank, he found that they had only deposited Sh100, 000, which is less the agreed salary for each month.

“That was not the agreement as the club had promised to pay him his full salary after one month of signing for the club. He has now walked away and does not want to join the rest in camp. It means now that the club owes him as we head to another month that is ending now (February).”

When reached for comment, Gor Mahia coach Hassan Oktay confirmed that the player attended the training session. “He  (Oliech) was in training today (Friday).”

Oliech already has one goal in the Caf competition coming against Zamalek in a 4-2 win but he missed the second Group match against Petro Atletico away in Angola owing to injury.

Efforts by Goal to reach out to the striker proved futile as his phone went unanswered. Gor Mahia will be going for their second win in the competition when they face the Algerian side at the Kasarani Stadium.

Gor Mahia held by Western Stima 1-1

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Wendo is congratulated by team-mates

Gor Mahia’s quest to reach the top spot of the Sportpesa Premier League was tripped up on Wednesday when a determined Western Stima held them 1-1. Gor Mahia scored in the first half through Ernest Wendo. Western Stima replied in the 53rd minute.

Additional reporting from the Nation

Gor Mahia missed the chance to go top of the SportPesa Premier League table after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Western Stima at the Kasarani Stadium on Wednesday.

Eernest Wendo had fired the champions ahead in the 30th minute with a first time strike off a Dennis Oliech assist, but the visitors hit back in the second half with Vincent Odongo restoring parity at the hour mark with a long range shot.

In between, Gor’s Nicholas Kipkirui, Olirch and Jacques Tuyisenge missed a host of chances and the visitors held on.

K’Ogalo are now in second spot with26 points from 13 matches, two behind leaders Bandari.

Gor coach Hassan Oktay was disappointed with the two dropped points.

“It wasn’t our best game. The referee stopped the game for nine minutes and their goalkeeper was on the ground for eight minutes. ” We dropped two points We conceded a goal from 40 yards, we have a goalkeeping problem,” he said.

But his opposite number Paul Ogai hit back, claiming his side were by far the better team in this game, and that the Kenyan champions were lucky to have picked a point.”He (Oktay) is lucky to get a point and should just keep quiet, we lost two great chances to kill the game, we were the better side.”

After an early period of dominance by the hosts, Ernest Wendo stabbed home a Dennis Oliech’s pass to hand Oktay’s charges the lead in this game after 30 minutes.

But when the Green Army – and their excited fans at the venue – seemed to be cruising, Stima rallied back and scored the goal of the game via Vincent Odongo.He rifled home a shot from 35-yards, easily beating an embarrassed Gor custodian Fredrick Onyango at his near post in the process.

Onyango was standing in for the off-colour Boniface Oluoch.Jacques Tuyisenge, who seemed to be playing with some bit of discomfort, headed a Philemon Otieno cross over the opponent’s bar with only custodian Samwel Onyango to beat earlier on.

Then Dennis Oliech scuffed a shot which went narrowly wide moments later. And in the second half, super sub-Nicholas Kipkurui failed to find the back of the with a looping shot with Fredrick Onyango well beaten. Oktay though elected to comment on the several stoppages caused by supposed injuries to the Western Stima goalkeeper. “He (Oktay) is lucky to get a point and should just keep quiet, we lost two great chances to kill the game, we were the better side.”