Gor Mahia take on SoNy Sugar
After a brief break from the Kenya Premier League, Gor Mahia resume action on Wednesday August 3 when they take on SoNy Sugar at Awendo.
Gor Mahia’s form of late has been less than convincing. They were held to two succesive draws and last week it took a last gasp effort from an Enock Agwanda throw in to grab a late winner in the fifth minute of injury time.
Teams are coming in determined to doggedly defend against Gor Mahia because grabbing a point against the champions is a significant achievement for any team. And Gor Mahia’s attack is not as sharp as it was in 2015 which means early goals that would open up the game have been scarce.
“Last season, we set very high standards for ourselves and now our fans expect us to win every match. It is putting us under a lot of pressure especially when you consider the fact that no team wants to lose or drop points as they are looking at a respectable finish on the log,” said skipper Musa Mohamed.
“It is a tough game for us. Every team wants a point from Gor Mahia and we must strive to be strong and focused and not underrate anyone. At this stage in the league, before you take a point from anyone you really have to fight hard,” he continued.
The play of the club has been below expected Standards so much so that some fans are asking for coach Ze maria to be replaced. What they forget is that before the Brazilian tactician took over, Gor Mahia were close to the relegation zone.
Nevertheless, Ze Maria will need to work diligently to sharpen the attack and in particular find a formation where both Tuyisenge and Kagere can thrive.
To partner Musa Mohamed in defence, Gor Mahia will line-up Luke Ochieng since Harun Shakava is suspended, having accumulated 5 yellow cards. Ochieng has not impressed since he joined and in fact has appeared unsure in some games. He is one player who will need to improve.
Matches between these two teams have been gard fought of late. The two teams last met in April where Gor Mahia won 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Tuyisenge. In fact Gor Mahia has beaten SoNy Sugar by identical 1-0 scores. Late in 2015, Gor Mahia clinched the league by beating SoNy Sugar 1-0 thanks to a goal by Innocent Wafula. In the first leg of 2015, it was an Ali Abondo free-kick that seperated the two sides at Awendo. This Wednesday promises to be no different.
With this game anything goes. I therefore remain open to any result because I understand the precarious situation we are in. We should blame this on the ineffective recruitment done in the June transfer window. On recruitment I really can’t point a finger at anyone, because from what I know, the EC left it to the coach to make his pick. Unfortunately Ze Maria is new to this region so he never knew of any good players from Kenya’s immediate neighbours. Naturally, he only thought of Brazilians and the local players he had seen in action. That is what leaves us in this quagmire.
I am sure had he seen Nbi Stima’s Duncan Ochieng’ etc, he would have done a much better job. As at now it is up to the likes of Musa Mohammed to drastically improve. In the Nbi Stima game Duncan Ochieng’ proved a better player than our two central defenders of the day. It is on this same note that I suggest King David’s brother to partner up with Musa in the central defence instead of Luke Ochieng. Musa himself should be more sure of his passes and should avoid the long balls unless absolutely necessary. May luck be on our side and may God grant us a very convincing win today.
Musa’s long pass is what Agwanda scored from during our game with Nairobi Stima….are we serious about some of the things we write? There is a saying in one of the local ethnic groups: that chickens will always pursue the chicken with an insect in the beak. Every team wants to beat GOR or secure at least a poit and they are perfectly in order. It is not something that is starting now. I do not agree with barefoot that we GOR should go for every good player in opposing teams, we have youth team which has very talented players, they should be promoted to the senior team. The problem here is we expect instant results. We forget that Olunga had to play two seasons before hitting form in GOR. So my appeal is that we should leave the coach alone to develop a team….shida in fans wa GOR ni wajuaji sana, kila moja wao in coach!
@William Apida I am fully aware that Enock Agenda’s goal was a long pass from Musa. Kindly note the “unless absolutely necessary” that I have included as a rider. Perhaps William, you could as well remind me how many long passes Musa gave and ended at their intended target in that game. My post was well-intentioned and I am therefore at a loss as to why you should get hot under the collar.
@barefoot bandit, I agree with you on the defensive partnership of musa with calabar junior since luke ochieng is very shaky, anyway Wishing the mighty GMFC good luck. God Bless
@William Apida this is Gor for you. The moment the coach hesitated on Kagere we were all on his neck, but now we think Kagere and JaUsenge should not play at the same time. When Siboumana was having issues it was like Marcelo is our savior in that position. Now we want him to play upront and Sobomana to play the left back. Mara BB aende, mara Agwnada should be released ‘caue he is not technical enough, mara Nondi should start mara he is still too young, mara Wendo is this and that.
All are in order. For me only wish the team success.
I think that the current form is a question of technicality that includes individual form, coherence, positioning and fan expectation. I would not read much into the ability of the Technical bench. With the kind of players Gor has, any coach within our league would face the same Challenge. Historically past and resent, the club has set such high standard that it is always pressure on the Team, Technical bench and Fans. I think this is good but the reality is, Gor as a Team does not play against itself but against other teams who equally do their things to win, draw or lose. The balancing act therefore is not easy. As already pointed out that the partnership between Kagere and Tuyisenge seems to be not working could be related to many things such as style, form and personality traits. We as fans we see them probably once a week. What about the Technical Bench who is with them during practice sessions day in and day out. Supposing that it does not work totally and they came up with a decision at the end of the season, would we take it kindly? It is a game of football and anything can happen. Of course the virtues that must not be forgotten are Patience, understanding with the players. Goodness, Faithfulness and Love to the Team as well as the K’Ogalo family.
The same fans who costed gor mahia three points are now saying our performance is below par.yet had they not been in gor mahia jersey,right now gor would be on top of the table with 37 points on far better goal difference.
This is the disadvantage of having people without any stake in the club calling themselves fans.lets not let hooligans make decision for such a great club.
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Ujuaji mingi ya ma fans itaharibu Gor. The last I checked, we had only drawn 2 matches in a row and lost a match 5 months ago. What is the problem? What crime has the TB committed. Tuwache pressure jameni. Team iko sawa. Like somebody has put it, there is no team facing Gor with an intention to lose. Therefore any 3 possible outcomes should be expected.
I am not worried about nothing. For God and my beloved club – Kogallo
…and those back passes to the goalkeeper yawa… they are more than frequent jowadwa!
Hi guys, all your are post are in order because they reflect your opinion. My take for today’s match are as follows;
1) Gor is one of the biggest team in the KPL and whenever they play any team, they give them different approach.
2) We have played so many games and we’ve getting positive or moderate result of which won’t be different from the sony’s one.
3) I have a strong believe in our squad they are capable.
The result will surprise many.
Long live Gor
Ushuru FC
0 – 4
Western Stima
Why are we crucifying Barefoot Bandit for simply point out the obvious? ?? as an equal fan like others he has a right to comment on the team’s performance and that doesn’t make him a coach. We should stop this habit of mob lynching coz someone has just commented on the obvious; Ni ukweli Luke is shaky at defense ama ni uongo ama is it a lie Musa huwa anapura ball juu or Wafula usually holds into the ball until he’s cornered?? omera this are obvious things than any honest fan can see. We will always express ourselves in this site without intimidation coz when we witness fighting spirit amongst players we will applaud but where there’s laxity expect criticism on the same.
I am giving up on Ze Maria as his tactics are no longer working.
Opinions are good, i agree that the tech bench should be given enough space to work and players also be accorded friendly atmosphere to do their thing.
The truth is that as some people claim monopoly of GM here some insist on knowing all.
Three points adrift the leaders should not create too much panic and anxiety to the extent that when there is a feeling of a draw or loss people are ready to turn violent.
Mean while, Tusker are trailing 2-0 at half time against Thika
Tactics of Ze Maria are really wanting. Does the coach has his first eleven? Every time there is trial and error with new lineup. At this point of the year, the coach should know all his players, their strengths and their weaknesses. At this rate, it is really worrying.