Gor Mahia through to GoTV shield semis
courtesy of futaa.com
Dan Sserunkuma’s brace is all Gor Mahia needed to knock out Western Stima and book a semi final berth in the Shield match staged at Nyayo Stadium starting 1630hrs local time.
The Ugandan international opened the scoring in the 38th minute before burying home the second in the 45th minute and ensure his side progress to the semis.
From an eventful first half, Gor came back in the second half to cling on the lead as Western Stima pressed on in a bid to cancel the scores.
Second half
The Kakamega based side could have got it had they utilized the corner kick in the 49th minute after Ivo Mapunda tipped over Wesley Kemboi’s shot.
And just to add more effort at the middle of the park, Stima brought in Justin Monda for yellow carded Mustapha Ogutu in the 50th minute and later pulled out Nicholas Akoko for veteran Francis Ocholla, that happening in the 65th minute.
Opening his account
With the defending champions comfortably leading 2-0, they continued displaying what they are made off and almost made it 3-0.
Edwin Lavatsa latched on a loose ball outside the box in the 72nd minute and David Juma off his line in the Stima goal, the Upper Hill High School alumni unleashed a left foot shot but Juma punched it out for a fruitless corner.
Impressing Joseph Wanyonyi came close to opening his account in Kogalo jersey but his efforts were denied by oncoming David Juma after being put through by Dan Sserunkuma.
Sony Sugar
With two minutes of added time, it was Western Stima earning few free kicks to perhaps net an equalizer but today was not their day, centre referee Sylvester Kirwa called it a day.
Gor Mahia now join Sony Sugar who were first to make it to the semi finals.
To be honest, Kogalo iko juu hata waseme nini. Am peoud of this team as a fan. Am just praying that we take full authority and win the double. Continue working hard Gor Mahia family.
Ed Lavatsa had one of the most outstanding games since his hatrick against Thika United two years ago. I wish him all the best and pray that he maintains today’s form. As for Sserunkumma, I want to believe that his second goal should be voted the goal of the season.
Good game. Where are the likes of Gathu, wekesa, nasio and David otieno? I’ve never seen some of these guys since our top 8 match against tusker. I hoped to see them again in Gotv cup but thanks to a coward coach they never made it even for the bench! I’m afraid some of them will be looking for more game time at other clubs come next season and it will be a big loss to K’ogalo to let some one like gathu leave. I’ll be happy to see K’ogalo turn raw talent such as Gathu’s into superstar. I’m dissapointed in the two Bobs
Now we know y the Good Lord let Rama & not Dan”Flava” leave! Thx Ssebo ur a true professional.
Le Pastre kindly give ua valued analysis after rewatching the game.
As you do answer the following 4 me:
1. Comment on our teamwork, passing accuracy coordination i.e the transition play frm defense 2 midfield 2 forwards 2 finishing.
2.In CECAFA/CAF cn we really survive the inability 2 get & retain possession that we largely displayed in the 2nd half?
VOTE BETA STRUCTURES, LEANER EC & TRY LEGENDS
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Gor has their work cut out against Sony in the semi
Oduor12, Thank you for showing confidence in the work that we do collectively as fans on the sideline. This Gor Mahia team is so solid that you wonder where some fans get the superlatives to negatively criticise it. You repeatedly watch their matches hoping to detect any weaknesses in their play but disappointingly come out with non. Gor Mahia scored 2 superbly worked out team goals and these kind of goals must greatly worry the opponents. This is Because, once a team of Gor Mahia’s calibre gets their rhythm right, there will be no stopping them. That telepathic understanding developing in the team is what created the 2 goals against Western Stima today. Once the strikers can read the minds of the midfielders they will only need to be At the right place and the ball will find there. It was a joy to watch just how easy it was for Danny to exploit the gaps created in the Western Stima defence as a result of the constant movement and inter- changing of positions by both Wanyonyi and Lavatsa. Western Stima could not hold their shape as a result of the sytem that BW is employing at the moment. That fluid movement is of a genius kind. What Wanyonyi has given Gor Mahia is what was expected from Kevin Omondi. The fielding of Wanyonyi in the number 10/free role is masterful. He has a very big engine, he can hassle and hurry the opponents everywhere in the field. He is the big outlet that Gor Mahia always needed so as to be multi- dimensional. The boy has brought a new life into Danny because of his style of play. His runs stretches the opponents defences enabling Danny to easily drop into the gaping holes created as a result of his movements. Pablo Njuguna needed to work on his fitness and he has done so. Both him and Eric are at their best when operating as a double team to shield the defence. They can engineer a quick counter-attack, are workaholic, can dribble and are imaginative. Teddy is one dimensional, too predictable and gives a lot of side-way and square passes. Very little progress is made with these kind of passes. I still expect
JBO and BW to one day work out a system that will give both Lavatsa and Kiongera a run out as the focal of our attack. I still believe Lavatsa or Kiongera can lead the line in the absence of Danny. Kiongera needs to build the confidence that every striker needs to bang in goals. He is strong, is supremely gifted and packs a very lethal shot, so just needs the coach to have confidence in him as a central striker. Its not working for him on the wings so bringing him as a central striker may just prove to be a masterstroke.
Plethora of talent is:- When you see the 2012 KPL best defender on the bench and not because of an injury, a former captain of SONY and Western Stima not able to command a regular place on the bench, a former stalwart of the defence almost being a forgotten man and the deputy Club Captain waiting on the wings to be called into action!!! This is the scenario currently playing out at Gor Mahia concerning the defence and defenders. When I watched Anguyo during the Western Stima match, he looked overweight, slow and demotivated. Our Coaches need to play the fatherly figure to our reserve players especially our defenders as they are the ones who have seen little or no action at all on the pitch.
I can assure you that it will take players with very special talent to break the “back 5 combination of Emuge, Mosoti, Owino, Musa and Frederick Jerim Onyango. Owino and Musa have impressed me a lot by the way they have adapted their styles to suit playing at fullback despite being natural Central Defenders.
As for the CECAFA club competition, we can be competitive if we approach the games without fear of the opponents. St. Georges from Ethiopia, El Mereikh and Al Hilal from Sudan, APR from Rwanda and Rayon Sport from Burundi will offer the stiffest challenges to Gor Mahia not forgetting Yanga and Simba from Tanzania. But having provided the largest number of players to the Harambee Stars squad that finished as runners-up to the Uganda Cranes during the last edition of CECAFA Senior Challenge CUP (2012), we should not fear any team in the Region. With some quality additions in the striker position, a natural LEFT BACK and a right Winger, we will just be fine, especially if we can retain the services of a fit-again Patrick OBOYA. Let us win all our remaining matches to send a message to all our would be opponents.
Great piece Le Pastre. Congrats boys.
I concur with Le Pastre comments. This is a great team. Williamson style of playing is working well for the club.
Kiongera need to have self confidence and this is lacking from this young lad. He is not the same Kiongera that we signed in January. He just lack self confidence and if the coach can work on him, he can change with time. I know players drop in form due to many reasons but this should not deter Kiongera from regaining his old style of playing. Just like Serenkuma, Kiongera can start a fresh with a new resolution.
Players like Serenkuma, Eric Ochieng, Wanyonyi, Owino Calabar, Musa Mohamed, Kevin Daddy, Oboya, Musoti, Emuge, Akumu, Pablo etc are a joy to watch.
At this time we need to focus on the remaining games and with God on our side, I can see Gor Mahia winning the double.
Finally, I return all the Glory and Honour to the Almighty God for this far He has taken us. He is our Ebenezer. The word EBENEZER (Eben-ezer) is mentioned in the Bible in 1 Samuel 7:12. Samuel had called on Israel to repent of their sin of idolatry (7:2-6). The Philistines heard about that “revival” gathering and took the opportunity to attack. But God defended Israel and gave them a great victory.
In response, Samuel erected a monument – he set up a stone “and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” (NKJV).
Well done… God is with us Go is with Gor. I just wonder why the decision of the abandoned match hasn’t come out yet!!
I wud like to appeal 2 Ambrose Rachier to imediately initiate talks with Sir Bobby Williamsom 4r a long term contract like 3yrs bcos I dont think that we can afford to loose him to the likes of Nyamweya and Kalekwa who r only waiting 4r k’ogalo to hire the best & they start to admire.He(BW) is the only Coach who can take Gor to the highest limits.
Congratulations GOR MAHIA. In this life everyone needs critics to achieve goals. That is democracy. So do not feel bad or hide comments of bloggers when they do constructive criticism! This is the life we live
Truly speaking Semeji, ur in a class of ur own, Sserenkuma is a world class striker n his desicion 2 stay at Gor will open doors for a better club.
Ingwe will beat Karuturi today ‘ with or without ”juju”’ n am hoping for a derby in the later stages hopefully the finals.
My dear brothers me am still waiting to here the comment that those people who made alot of noise when JBO was signing the like of Wanyonyi,Oboya,Eric ochieng n Paul,let them now comment on the result they are now enjoying.
@Eric Jarae, all fans have right to comment on any happenings in the club. Do not behave like during the days of baba na mama as there no fans with special monopolies of ideas or rights to comment. All fans are equal. If it was not Bobby Williamson who turned the mode of playing, you would be the first to make loud noise and war cries.
@Eric Jarae, I hope you meant hear but not here.
mc osweto why are you dissapointed with two bobs?you should know that once a coach gets his winning team he will not be willing to alter the team each and every time,and that is why lugarusic stuck to a single squad last year until his tactics was known by other coaches.secondly you should know that there is a very stiff competition in gor that is why the young lad wanyonyi has just booked for odhis dube his place on the bench,the same applies to Nasio and the rest you are talking about.so you should just encourage them to work hard and get their place in the first team,but not telling us that they will leave gor due to playing time they should work and work and work to break into first team selection.
Mwakio hii lugha sio midomo chetu yawa hahahahaa
I just wanted to take us a step back and address the Eli Kalekwa outburst that Gor Mahia will crack and drop points. A comprehensive analysis of the performances of Gor Mahia, Sofapaka, Efusi and Ulinzi as from 25-05-13 to 7-10-13 reveals very interesting results.
Both Sofapaka and Efusi have @ played 13 matches btwn these dates.
1. AFC Leopards on 25-8-13 had the chance to move to within 6 points of Gor Mahia had they won against their eternal enemy in the Mashemeji Derby. Leading 2 nil, with only 30minutes to play, they ended up with a draw when Gor clawed back the deficit. They have never recovered the 9 points deficit between them and Gor Mahia. They currently occupy position 3 with 38 points while Gor Mahia have 47 points with 1 match at hand. Efusi has not been very consistent both on the field and on the bench. For along time, they have relied on pure adrenaline to push them forward when the coaches have been at loggerheads with the administration. Their results for the period analysed is as follows -: P13 W7 D3 L3 GF21 GA11 AG10 PTS24. VERDICT:
Will finish in number 2 behind the Mashemejis.
2. Sofapaka’s performances pales in comparison to that of their direct competitors though Kalekwa would want us to believe otherwise. Fewer goals scored while conceding alarmingly high number of goals is not a record to be proud of. Of the top 8 teams, Sofapaka only managed to beat Thika United, Bandari and KCB but only in one leg. They lost both legs of their matches against Efusi, drew both matches against Tusker and lost their 1 match against Gor Mahia. They recently drew their last 2 matches against basement teams of SONY Sugar and Karuturi. P13 W5 D4 L4 GF14 GA12 AG2 PTS19.
VERDICT- Not strong enough to last the duration of the Championship. Will drop more points as they have a non functional strike-force and a hit and miss Midfield. Its only their Goalkeeper and 1 or 2 defenders who are worth a mention. Will finish below
Position 2.
3. Ulinzi having played 11 matches during the same period posted this performance index; P11 W5 D4 L2 GF11 GA7 AG4 PTS19. If Ulinzi had been consistent, they would have been our nearest challengers. They lost their two matches at hand against Mathare United and SONY. Had they won, they would have pushed their points tally to 38 while Gor was at 41 points then. They followed those 2 loses with posting 3 consecutive draws against Bandari, Home Boys and KCB. Their title chase ended here. VERDICT-
Expected to push higher up the table if they can string up some form of consistency. Number 5 will not be too bad.
4. The Champions elect- Gor Mahia were in their true element against Western Stima during the GOTV Shield yesterday. They have proved their consistency through out the Championship and will be true, worthy and deserving Winners.
VERDICT- Gor Mahia have a very strong and compact team which keeps on getting better. Opponents cannot afford to accord them the opportunity to have a quick and bright start every season and still hope to fight for the Championship against them. If this team is not cannibalised by the transfers, I can see them easily retaining their title next year while obliterating the competition. GOR Mahia’s analysed results proves my point: P14 W8 D5 L1 GF17 GA6 AG11 PTS29.
CONCLUSIONS-
The gauntlet has been thrown to the challengers as Gor Mahia is ready to take on any team anywhere. I won’t be surprised if Gor Mahia wins all their remaining matches thus posting a new Championship record of 65 points.
Umesema mtu wangu na si maringo ni facts.Gor is the only team inaweza ikafungwa twice na bado ichukwe ligi,of which idont see them wakipoteza.
Congrats to the boys. As indicated by @Le Pastre and others the going is going to be tough for all tema on the remaining matches. The truth is that no top team will win or lose all their remaining matches and that is where we will crowned the winners. The worst thing in life is to depend on bad luck to slow your competitor when the environment you are all operating from is the same. We expected Sofapaka to beat Karuturi and now see what has happened, same as haters who were waiting for Mathare to stop Gor. As we wait for the Thika game on Thursday all our prayers should be directed to the team
Congrats to the boys. As indicated by @Le Pastre and others the going is going to be tough for all tema on the remaining matches. The truth is that no top team will win or lose all their remaining matches and that is where we will crowned the winners. The worst thing in life is to depend on bad luck to slow your competitor when the environment you are all operating from is the same. We expected Sofapaka to beat Karuturi and now see what has happened, same as haters who were waiting for Mathare to stop Gor. As we wait for the Thika game on Thursday all our prayers should be directed to the team
Congrats to the team for win against W. stima. when r the semis being played? Jst concerned abt fatigue to our 1st eleven. God willing we’ll have secured the league by then. In my opinion players with less game time can play the remaining lg matches. Anyway the 2 bobbys knw beta.
Congrats Comrades,,,,,waiting for the state function n if all goes well a derby to close down the season in style!
Did you not see a new band at the stadium.
GM Kogalo Jazz,
They reminded us “bado mapambano” Lovely, keep up guys. I did not know we can sacrifice to this extent. I hope this will not be the last, Let us not let the sofapaka fill the air with theirs when we meet.
On the field of play, we were fantastic. thanks for the team, congratulation Dan Sserankuma
lastly for this bank, can we start thinking of having them as travelling band? we can strategize how to support them. Our team needs a familiar tune for the entire 90 minutes. even if it is “mapambano” or “abridged Kisumu 100”
MA MARWA MAKATA TEK GINIWASEKAO. KUDOS TO THE TEAM FOR REACHING SEMI FINAL. WE SHALL PROVE TO OUR LITTLE BROTHERS SONY SUGAR THAT WE ARE NOT EQUALS.
KUDOS TO MY BROTHER MOSOTI FOR HIDING TO JBO’s CALL OF NOT PLAYING ROUGH GAME. U WERE EXCELLENT MAN.
Dear Bloggers,
I am disappointed how someone is working against Kogalo, they are surely planning our downfall. How can we be playing three tough matches in less than seven days and all this time our opponents are just resting their legs each preparing for Kogalo?
12/10 WStima – GoTV quarters
16/10 Thika – KPL
19/10 Sony – GoTV semis
Can somebody shout with me, uuuuuwi whats this!!!!!!
@ JATHUR GI JI stop being alarmist please its cup fixtures and all teams will pay on wednesday 16/10 as u put it THERE WILL BE 8 LEAGUE MATCHES ON CARD. eg BANDARI VS HOMEBOYZ, MUHORONI VS ULINZI, SOFAPAKA VS CHEMELIL, CITY STARS VS KARUTURI, W. STIMA VS AFC LEOPARD AND KCB VS SONY so tell me the labaloo since the cup ties are how tough we have been.