Gor Mahia vs NA Hussein Dey Preview
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.
I appeal to anyone who is close to the team to implore the players to avoid the media moreso social media when we are faced with crucial matches. The team management should impose some kind of ban because it is now evident that the media hype that builds up to a crescendo piles a lot of pressure on our boys. We all witnessed the media frenzy in Enugu and Luanda. Let’s compare that with the games we won when the media had given us very little chance.
Today Bandari played Nzoia and opened a 5 point lead. There was however, no media frenzy, hyping how Bandari could open a huge lead if……Compare that with the media madness leading to our midweek match against Western Stima. There was a lot of talk how we were going to collect three points and leap to the top of the the table albeit on superior goal difference….
May I reiterate that the Tech Bench should deliberately shield players for this media madness.
J’Asego kindly take note.
That is why Gor is Gor. When marketing firms carry a statistics on line and see who looks up Gor how many times, where and why?. That’s why sportpesa is doing business with Kogallo. Social media craze. You cannot avoid it. Face it or ship out.
If we can have a keeper back there….anyway all the best.
The media have a role to play in hyping games and can not be wished away…its up to the players to cultivate mental strength needed to overcome the pressure, they are professionals after all
Ukweli mtupu
Good observatiom Barefoot bandit
If Oliech is not going to play it’s normal why should the media keep on referring to him as top striker. Let the media be informed that in Gor there is no top striker because anybody can score and therefore he is not a striker trying to find back his boots
If Oliech is not going to play it’s normal why should the media keep on referring to him as top striker. Let the media be informed that in Gor there is no top striker because anybody can score and therefore he is just a former wonderfuml striker trying to find back his boots
Anther Collins Okoth. Jolamo magolo juogi ere jowa.
Good luck boys.
In the next transfer window, players like Mustapha, Ssekisambu and Cercidy should be loaned to AFC Leopards. It will be sad to see them relegated.
Oliech will not feature this afternoon
All the Best team
Is the match live?Goalcom said it would be live on Supersport 9 but it is Nkana vs Zesco being screened there.
https://www.facebook.com/daniel.owino/videos/2638767852817122/
Some of our fans are just shere stupid why throw objects on to the pitch? We are leading, then what, just what are some people after? Do we know the difference between local and international matches? Gooooosh..
Gor is not oliech……..Gor 2 timu ingine 0
Congratulations team Gor mahia fc for the big win against NA hussein Dey. Now that we’ve managed to win against NA hussein Dey, it would be sweet to frustrate them away even though our away record is very poor. If we can pull a draw away as we did against New stars de Douala fc then we will have qualified.
Congrats team, keep the fire burning. We need to register another home win and fight for draws away.