Gor Mahia through to CAF Cup Group stage
Gor Mahia overcame their tribulations to become the first Kenyan team ever to make it to the group stage of a continental competition. This after they lost 1-2 to Supersport United of South Africa. All the goals came in a spell of 10 minutes. Supersport scored first in the 61st minute through an Aaron Shakava own goal. Then Francis Kahata equalized less then 60 seconds later. And Supersport scored the second seven minutes later.
Additional Reporting from Citizen Sports
The build-up to this match for the 16-time champions was chaotic from their financial troubles to key players failing to obtain visas.
Gor Mahia were bailed out by Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko who paid for their flights to South Africa.
The Kenyan giants only arrived on Tuesday which meant that they had limited time to acclimatise to the conditions.
Gor Mahia coach Dylan Kerr had to make do without Rwandan Jacques Tuyisenge, who converted the late penalty in the first leg and Ephrem Guikan of the Ivory Coast as the pair’s work permits didn’t meet the requirements for them to be granted South African visas.
Francis Kahata made the trip and was in the starting line-up. He almost didn’t make it as his passport didn’t have the required two empty pages.
Whoever facilitated that administrative blunder helped the Kenyans as Kahata tormented SuperSport’s defence.
The Kenyan pulled the strings for Gor Mahia with his skills and clever running.
He silenced an already pathetic crowd with an equaliser from George Odhambo’s cross a minute after his captain Haron Shakava had scored in his own net. That goal proved to be golden for Gor Mahia.
United had went ahead at the stroke of the hour mark, after Gor’s captain Harun Shakava scored in his own net in a desperate effort to save.
It was a dramatic moment, as 58 seconds later, skillful Francis Kahata restored parity, the wonder away goal that would make the difference at the final whistle.
Thus the hosts 68th minute strike through Thabo Mnyamane was not enough to salvage their fortunes.
Despite missing key players in the squad, including first leg scorer Jacques Tuyisenge, influential holding midfielder Earnest Wendo, Ivorian Ephraim Guikan and Ugandan international Godfrey Walusimbi, the Dylan Kerr coached side was calm enough to absorb the away pressure from the three-time South African Premier League winners.
The hosts desire to level the aggregate score was evident from the start, fine crosses from the flanks flowing on Gor’s goal but the calm defense line comfortably keeping safe.
The first real threat came in the quarter-hour mark when Sipho Mbule flew his effort over the bar, from a sumptuous cross by Onismor Bhasera on the wing.
Seven minutes later Mbule found Dylan Stoffels in the goalmouth, whose cross across the goal was saved by Boniface Oluoch, denying a lurking Jamie Webber.
In the 25th, Le Roux connected Bhasera’s thread with a low drive, but could not pass the alert Gor defense. The Pretoria based side continued their onslaught; Mnyamane’s earning a free-kick that Mnyamane curved cunningly over Gor defense, only for Oluoch to thwart his effort.
Just before the break, Mnyamane rattled K’Ogalo’s man-wall with another free-kick in the goalmouth, in what was the last effort of the first stanza well dominated by Matsatsantsa.
A determined United resumed with clear intent for goals, Stoffels coming close in the 51 st with a powerful shot inside the box that forced Oluoch to a reflex save to keep Gor in the game.
Gor grew more ruthless in the attack too, with Kahata supplying Kagere two times succession whose shots flew wide.
Then came the game-changer moment, Shakava and Kahata finding the net at the hour top at the different ends, to usher a tense moment for both sides.
Tense indeed it was, as Gor sought to defend keep the scores flat while the hosts frantically sought two goals to advance.
Mnyamane’s goal restored hope, but the clock was ticking fast towards full time with Kerr rallying his besieged men to keep his instructions: “fighting hard to a point of sweating blood, to fly high national colors and clubs name,” as he had put it before jetting out for the clash.
Gor Mahia handled their troubles better
According to the Independent online, Gor Mahia handled their troubles better than Supersport. Read below
While Gor Mahia’s problems were administrative, SuperSport’s issues are on the field as they flirt with relegation. Interim coach Kaitano Tembo fielded a relatively young team with his main focus being to avoid relegation.
A number of key players like captain Dean Furman, Clayton Daniels, Aubrey Modiba and Thuso Phala were rested in this match that guaranteed the winners a place in the group stage of the Confederation Cup.
Matsatsantsa were there last season, going all the way to reach the final before crashing down in the domestic league due to the heavy workload that followed in their catch-up programme.
That schedule proved too much to handle for Matsatsantsa which is why they slipped to 14th position, a point ahead of 15th placed Ajax Cape Town with three matches to go.
The Kenyans handled their chaos better. They looked in control and troubled SuperSport with their quick counter.
But the Tshwane side responded well in the second half to put on a brave fight. Taking the lead and Gor Mahia’s quick equaliser woke SuperSport from their slumber.
They took the match to the depleted Kenyan side, muscling their way back through the boot of Thabo Mnyamane with his third goal of the tournament.
That resulted in an exciting and nervous finish for the home crowd as SuperSport needed another goal to win the tie, since the Kenyans scored a vital away goal which took them to the group stage of the Confederation Cup after their demotion from the Caf Champions League.
SuperSport now have to focus on their fight for survival with their African sojourn now over.
Congrats team for this milestone achievement.
Now with 27 million. Let Gor Mahia pay Geoffrey Walusimbi, work on Tuyisenge work permit and correct all the mistakes we saw in the last few days. Congratulations to the technical bench and all players
wuololoooo yaye ! now with Kshs 27 million in the bank…….mo money, mo problems!
More Money=More Pay to Players=Goals Galore…….We won and yet you already foresee more challenges lying ahead instead of more glory.We will make it to Quarter Finals of CCC.Your penalties will save us as we wont score yet again washed off,Kahata put a beauty behind the net.Jakoyo love Mayienga truly kwani iko nini?
Congrats Kogallo…more money…more glory…period!
Sir Kerr,hats off for you good Coach,i banked you were to return our glory days and Yes You Have.Entire TB congrats are in order.Playing Unit Hongera Safii Tamu Shukran Baraka Thank You Bless You.In difficult near impossible circumstances you stood tall to be counted and made history for Mayienga as the first among equals.We have made it,the first step in a great journey towards reclaiming continental significance.EC we are happy but have not forgotten the shambolic happenings of the past few days.Let us celebrate today then sort out all the mess since we cant move onto glory with such Encumbrances…
@jasego, i believe you have been in gor mahia long enough to see what is coming…..I love this team to death but i doubt if we have the foresight to steer it out of its financial troubles or is it squables.
From tomorrow, the sharks ” wenye kogallo’ will start coming to our cash coffers….debts will resurface from nowehere,coach will be fired for demanding huge bonus, EC will mismanage the little we have earned, Visas will be delayed even when we know we will be playing away in a months time, player allowances and bonus will be held back as if it is business as usual etc etc etc sometimes, and dont blame me, it is as if this jackpot of kshs 27 million is a curse of some sort !
To God be the Glory who heard n answered prayers…trust the same God for better days for Kogallo…
GREAT MOMENT!
KUDOS TO KOGALO! EVER PROUD OF YOU, THE BOYS, THE TC BENCH AND THE FANS!
In victory and glory, in defeat and agony Kogalo forever!!
Congrats players & TB, thank God Kahata made it to SA. EC and Mr. Soprano totally failed but somehow Gor Mahono succeeded. Am sure we are going to build on this foundation.
Pleasant surprise, didn’t expect .Congratulations players.To AR & Co. If only you guys had a visionl kogalo team ingekuwa far.I urge the players to be vigilant otherwise I also foresee more problems. Hope my instincts are wrong
Wonderful news. Kogallo juu. Please officialls check on players and tb. Look for walusimbi and settled his dues. Make sure all players are comfortable. Tiusenge work permit should be worked on. ++++++.
Kudos team. Wonderful. You have made us proud
Congrats Kogalo. Sky is the limit. We are going places this year, all the way to the finals.
And to all of you who are forever whining, God Bless you but look at the mirror and confirm if what you see is familiar.
Kogalo has shown that they can match up with the best in the continent. The experience gained will be invaluable in the many matches to come, both locally and in the continent.
Congratulations are in order. I have been thinking of how Gor could regain it’s lost glory in the continental competition but God is good and we are getting back. Thanks to EC, TB, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE PLAYERS, MAY GOD BLESS YOU.
hehe eti thanks to EC. These people almost cost the team
Payout the players so that we have fullsquad, Congratulations are in order
Gor Gooorrrr Maaahiiiaaa….Gor timbe duto yakni…..
Rachier and co now waiting to squander the 27m at the expense of players. I used to hate Sonko but he saved kogallo at a critical time. Sonko aendelee kuishi! MUGABE to ooloji gi incompetence. Na kumbe spot peka walishahama! Awuoro!
Owadwa stay here,wek lal…This is the time we must now demand accountability & goodwill for our team to soar in the continent.Sportpesa bado wako hawakuenda mahali…Updates utapata
Thanks for the ulcers that u have given me today coz the anti acid was to sweet to easily forget it…Thanks kerr with exception of Ec?
Thooo dhano bende koro obemba ni we played a 2nd 11. Awuoro.
Congratulations to the valiant warriors. Congratulations to coach Kerr, it pays to always believe in a cause. Keep the spirit.
Never give up on this team. I now believe more than ever that this class of 2018 will surprise even the most pessimistic fellows, even themselves, by their performance. If they could stand their ground after such shambolic preparations leading to this match, then I can see them coming out of the groups to the quarters, no doubt about that, but only with better management. The only enemy is within….mismanagement by the management.
I never doubted Gor’s ability to go on the continent! There’s just too much fire power and quality in Gor in spite the off field glaring disorganisation!
The good news is, atleast 3 east african teams have been confirmed for continental football. Kccafc, yanga and Gor Mahia! You can be sure football in East Africa is set to go to the next level. I see these three clubs performing beyond expectations!
Gor’s financial woes will be sorted either through pressure from fans or the lack of ability to deliver will force many of those inept leaders to step aside! In the end of it all, football will win!
I also believe there’s a lot of good will from Kenyans to see Gor as a national representative succeed. Am sure there are more Sonkos in Kenya who will not rest until Gor Mahia goes places!
Congs to the mighty Kogalo.
Francis there are 4 East African teams represented in Caf Competition,KCCA of Uganda in CCL…Then Gor Mahia of Kenya,Rayon Sports of Rwanda and Yanga SC of TZ representing the region in CCC.Glory be to God
That’s even better news!
Mike Sonko For President !! of the republic of Kenya, come 2022.
Congratulations to the team. To EC the cash is not yours, thank the players & motivate them, pay Walusimbi mtu hawezi toka UG then you don’t pay him & somebody doesn’t want players to complain. how do they support their families? Management should be focused & provide serious roadmap of raising cash & stealing is forbidden lest we burn you pple alive this time.
Congrats team. The truth is that our team is/was also depleted with Wellington, Karim, Wendo, JaUsenge, Guilkan and Walusimbi out. These are 1st eleven team members and we hope the issues re sorted out early enough for them to be available and those injured to heal faster.
We need to say a BIG thank you to Governor 047, the players, TB (especially Kerr for believing in the boys). The EC still has a long way to go. Fighting for gate collections instead of ensuring that more and more is collected is becoming an issue from the EC.
Cannot tell the team how to use the cash but they should know their priorities, and that’s the players and TB first. I hope EC members in or apart from the CEO are not in Gor payroll. They are actually supposed to be financers and volunteers to serve the team.
For fans let’s revisit and start to jaza stadi. We have literally been ‘absent’. Maybe due to Machakos proximity
THANK YOU GOD.
Congratulations to the TB, Players and the fans. United and focused, we shall achieve.
HONGERA K’OGALO
Congatulations big time team K’ogalo. This is an achievement of milestone
Kogalo Sirkal nyale…
Wayie kodu!
Congrats to the team…all the best in the next assignment… please make us proud!!
Kama sportspesa oknyal konyo then wagol brandgi from kogalo shirt period.sani okwabisayogi nikech wadhi africa
I hope the boys have been told that there is no time for celebration. In 2 weeks time we will be back in the trenches trying to qualify for quarters then semis as well as the local league. In Kerr I believe they will get the best advice since the EC might go on a celebration mood, attending radio shows and begging left right and centre.
Having seen the money they are liable to get at every stage of the tourney I believe we need to put our house in ‘perfect’ order.
By the way I haven’t seen Sportpesa congratulating the team, unless they will do it in a special way. The mileage Gor and Yanga will give them is something I am sure they were just dreaming about
Dan i was surprised to see the almighty AR humble himself carrying begging bowls to Sonko’s office standing with clutched hands and a sombre face.Why not partner with such sponsors by utilising our huge brand name?Wasecho marach akin to the saying that jaluo mobiro secho edala nii oyie kata moso guok manindo edhot ni Rategoo aneni kiyweyo kanyo mooss…
Bwana Nick and the Government should speed up renovation of Nyayo, we need to “nyamo timbe” hapa karibu pana machakos.And Nyongo should also make sua kisumu stadium is orait I think the boys mean business, accommodation ya masabik to tag along ndio what is desperately need.