Gor Mahia beat Bandari 1-0, win Super Cup
Gor Mahia are the 2019 Super Cup winners after beating Bandari 1-0 at Machakos on Sunday. The all important goal came from Lawrence Juma.
Additional reporting from the Nation
Gor Mahia beat Bandari 1-0 to win the Kenyan Premier League Super Cup at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Sunday.
Lawrence Juma scored the crucial goal in the 64th minute, reacting fast to thump home after Bandari custodian Michael Wanyika parried away Kenneth Muguna’s cross from the right. There was luck written all over Juma’s strike as his shot took a wicket deflection off Brian Otieno giving Wanyika no chance.
Gor coach Steven Pollack lauded his charges for a good show in the second half especially after youngster Tobias Otieno was sent off for a second bookable offense in the 77th minute.
“We had a poor first half but played better in the second half. I liked our fighting spirit especially after Tobias Otieno was sent off. I am happy with the team so far but obviously we have to improve on some areas. The players are getting to understand how I want them to play. We need to move the ball faster from our half and be quick in transition,” assessed Pollack who remarkably won his first trophy on Kenyan soil in his first ‘home’ game.
Despite the loss, Bandari tactician Bernard Mwalala was impressed by the display from his charges.
“I think we did way better than in our game a week ago against Al Ahly Shendi. We were the better side as usual but were not sharp upfront. Gor Mahia got once chance that made the difference. That is how football is, we will now work on fixing our weakness upfront,” noted Mwalala.
Ghanaian Francis Afriyie, who was making his debut for K’Ogalo, could have given them the lead in the first minute but he headed wide from Juma’s inviting cross.
Clifton Miheso, who was also starting his first match for Gor, was fouled in the 14th minute at the edge of the box and he floated the resultant freekick beautifully into the box. However Muguna could not keep his header down as they continued to push for the opening goal. Bandari responded swiftly a minute later, Danson Chetambe playing William Wadri through on goal but the Ugandan shot wide.
The dockers won a freekick just outside the box in the 23rd minute after Sammy Onyango fouled Chetambe but David King’atua’s powerful shot did not trouble Gor Mahia custodian David Mapigano.
Mwalala made a double change in the 50th minute bringing in Benjamin Mosha and Hassan Abdallah for Shaban Kenga and David King’atua respectively. Pollack replied introducing Kennedy Otieno for Samuel Onyango while Afriyie was replaced by Nicholas Kipkirui. And it was Gor who found the breakthrough.
Muguna and Miheso exchanged neat passes on the right wing before the latter delivered a dangerous cross into the box that Wanyika punched away only as far as the edge of the box. Juma hit a first time shot that was aided into the net by Brian Otieno’s outstretched leg.
Bandari threw men forward in search of the equalizer but Gor’s central defence pairing of Charles Momanyi and Joash Onyango thwarted their attacks. Mosha’s volley in the 73rd minute was perhaps their best chance in the second half. Tobias Otieno was having a game of his life in the middle of the park but it was cut short after picking a second yellow card for a foul on Wadri.
With six minutes left, Pollack pulled out Kennedy Otieno for Joachim Oluoch in an obvious attempt to protect the slim lead. Geoffrey Ochieng could have double Gor’s lead in the 87th but his curling shot from the edge of the box went just inches wide with Wanyika well beaten.
I watched it from the screen. Tobias Otieno is a big gamble in the midfield. He is too slow and inexperienced. I may not recommend him for the big stage.
I missed Batambuze and Philemon Otieno.
Your TV has issues
Tobias has talent but he’s still very raw
@onditi…i beg to differ. While I agree with you that Tobias is inexperienced, I don’t agree with you that he is a big gamble in midfield.
Just like many here gave Joash a real bashing in his first days in Gor, I will defend Tobias as I did joash.
With time this boy will be the go to guy in our midfield. In my opinion I also don’t think we missed Philo and batambuze.
The game didn’t flow as expected… but it was the first real domestic test for both teams going into the new season, I don’t think anyone expected much fireworks!!
Good ! at least we are not conceding goals but those west Africa import strikers yajowa, did they pass any medical test ?
Ha Ha Ha Ha true tu…but Francis Afiye is highly talented.. Skilled…fast and intelligent
The keeper is quite good. We need to work on the fludity in the mid filed
The players need time to acquaint to each other.This is partly a new arrangement and going by the plain view action in Machakos,ostensibly this is a club to watch.
Plz Tobias played very well , his fist game at gor in Kenya comes with a lot of pressure the boy is good and will bench wendo ,why did coach not fielded the ivorean, my concern Afryee is good
We played well considering that the team is like a new team and the coach is also new but Bandari had majority of their regular players meaning that they were advantaged than us. We can only get better because I can see that even the new coach is tough on touch line. Clean sheet is also another positive thing that I’ve noticed in our new goalkeeper. Keep it up as always
Good start. We expect the players to form a GOR team.
Hehehe……gino ok alot sikuma…
Tobias Otieno is my MOTM…dont look at the red card but his command of the midfield. The young lad is good both defensively and offensively and rugged as expected of the DMF position. Ojana no thalee omera he is my new wonderkid
Too early to judge. New players, new coach… this is understandable…. I do like the coaches comments… so no bitching from me, at least not yet.
Wow talent galore; Tobias has replaced Wendo,he can hold, distribute and win fouls.He is even better than Kahata offensively. This is the type of player if spotted by hull city or everton(replacement of Idrissa Gueye) will be snatched from Kogalo quickly.
Congrats are in order. Tobby Otieno is the next big thing in Gor. The lad is good. Just a little polishing. He only needs 3 – 5 consistent games and he will fire. Red card is very normal in football. I will not read too much about his sending off. By and large the team is good, let us support them fully.
Amor, piny Mor, polo bende Mor. For God and my beloved club – Kogallo
Good game. The defence was solid, the goalkeeper was equal to the task and tactful. The mid was ok, we only need to be faster on transition, Muguna and Tobias did some good job, let them work on speed.
Miheso on the flanks was good, Samuel Onyango is great ball player. He needs to be a bit more hungry – with crosses from the flanks, it is going to be tough for our opponents.
I don’t know what match Mwalala, Bandari coach was watching. To insinuate that Bandari was better than GOR is an insult, but that we leave to him. He can see that many more times to satisfy his ego – GOR with 10 attempts, 8 on target – Bandari with 8 attempts, 4 on target; who is fooling who here?
And to critics, it is your right to critique but be positive. This thing of “Ok Nyal” is sickening.
Lastly, if Nyangi feels donning regalia of other clubs during GOR matches is the best she can do, let her continue, pay day is coming.
Sawa on all the positive comments… I also liked Tobias attitude and approach. I only say that we adopt the e_ticketing as away of making the club earn its money.
Let’s also encourage ADOR to work on an e-membership platform. Target is at least 150,000 fully paid members at 1500 per year. The rest will be history!!!!!!
GOR MAHIA INTRODUCES E-TICKETING
https://gormahiafc.co.ke/e-ticketing.
To the K’Ogalo family, the truth of the matter is, Supper Cup is in the bag. I think this is a very good introduction to the incoming players, that Gor is a team of winning trophies. It is therefor a perfect start, appetite has been made wet, every player is looking forward to giving their best. This could also be a good thing just before we take on our opponents from Burundi. Operation Jazza Stadium iwake….
Congratulations K’ogalo… All the departments worked well, just need to work on split passes and accurate crosses. Tupatane Kasarani on Sunday.. God bless K’ogalo family.
Kasarani Sunday, ask a friend to ask a friend to ask another friend to come and let’s come to pay at the gate everyone. Kasarani, here we come.
Decent game, Toby is the future, maybe we revert to 4-4-2. 4-3-3 doesn’t quite work for us
Miheso is a hit but time has proofen that most signings were below par…meanwhile the team is very strong I believe we will have a good season
Most player?? How many were fielded yesterday ama ni kupayuka payuka na maneno.
Amor, Piny Mor, Polo bende Mor. For God and my beloved club – Kogallo
The celebrations were spoilt by the lady on the far right wearing a different funny colour from our brand colours. This is not Gor Mahia colour and we need to build on our brand that include Green, Blue and White colours.
@Jamigori, that looks like Simba kit. Isn’t this the same lady who went to support Shark while Gor was playing an important match?
Any now is not the time to dwell on such since we have a bigger task ahead of us.
What magic do we apply to get the goals on Sunday?
@Dan Original, agreed. Anyway it is our solemn prayers for victory this weekend. The team looks strong and I believe with proper gelling and playing together, we are going to win many games.
The team is still gearing into shape. Tobias is a great talent. With the right guidance and if he puts his feet on the ground, he is destined for greater heights!!
Kudos to the boys for the win over Bandari!
The march to a great season is on!
In victory and glory, in defeat and agony, K’Ogalo for ever!
Now it’s time tell a friend to tell a friend let’s all paint kasarani green jitokeze to the home of champion