Its the Mashemeji derby in Dar es Salaam
Gor Mahia beat Nakuru All Stars 2-0 to reach the final of the inaugural Sportpesa Super cup. Arch rivals AFC Leopards for their part, reached the final by beating Young Africans of Tanzania 4-2 on post match penalties.
Meddie Kagere who scored twice in the opener against Jangombe of Zanzibar, scored again against All Stars in the 44th minute. And just as in the first match, it was also a header. That was before George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo doubled their lead five minutes from time.
Gor Mahia are thus far the most convincing side in the tournament. They have won their matches outright while the others have been settled by penalties.
“It was a tough match but we kept on pushing hoping to get the opener. We didn’t underrate them because we saw what they had done earlier on. I am happy with the victory which sends us to the final.” Gor assistant coach Zedekiah Otieno said after the match.
Additional reporting from Capital Sports
In the 28th minute, Kenneth Muguna put Timothy Otieno through on goal with a neat pass, but the striker could not beat the All Stars keeper one on one.
Gor Mahia players line up before their match against Nakuru All Stars in the SportPesa Super Cup semi-finals on June 8, 2017. PHOTO/SportPesa
The National Super League side continued to fight and push for an opener but they could not find the right rhythm when it came to the final third. In the 38th minute, some good play saw Baraka Nturukundo meet a low cross from the right, but his volley went straight to the keeper.
With the half seemingly headed for a barren draw, Kagere who hit both in Gor’s 2-0 quarter final win over Jang’ombe pounced once again, glancing in a header from a Wellington Ochieng cross from the left.
In the second half, Gor commanded more chunks of play and three minutes in, Odhiambo saw his effort from close range saved by keeper Martin Lule.
Gor made changes with Amos Nondi coming in for Innocent Wafula and the youngster should have done better in the 73rd minute but he volleyed wide from close range.
Odhiambo however put the game beyond All Stars with a neat finish in the 82nd minute, slapping the ball home after it had come off the crossbar.
Substitute Olover Maloba had taken on a daunting run on the left before his cheeky chip over the keeper bounced off the bar.
Football
Gor Outclass Nakuru To Set Mashemeji Derby Super Cup Final
by Mutwiri Mutuota
2017-06-08 21:09
Meddie Kagere struck his third goal of the tournament to inspire Gor Mahia FC to set up a mouth-watering Mashemeji Derby SportPesa Super Cup final against AFC Leopards on Sunday when they outclassed compatriots Nakuru AllStars 2-0 in Dar-es-Salaam on Thursday.
Kagere scored in the first minute of added time in the first half of the second semi final of the inaugural competition before George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo put the game to bed in the 83rd to put the tie beyond the reach of the National Super League side.
In the absence of compatriot and record Gor signing Jacques Tuyisenge from the Super Cup, Kagere has taken his chance to impress with relish and is set to finish as the tournament top scorer as he set Gor on their way to the final at the Uhuru Stadium.
K’Ogalo have simply been the most dominant team in the eight-team knockout tournament, finishing their business inside the 90 in both their games so far and will be fancied to beat Leopards on Sunday.
The second Mashemeji Derby of the year follows the 3-0 drubbing Gor handed to their eternal rivals in their first leg meeting of the 2017 SportPesa Premier League (SPL) in Nairobi.
Kagere rested
Once again, Gor under the tutelage of Assistant Head Coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno struggled to turn their territorial advantage to goals in the first half and were heading for the interval locked at 0-0 before Kagere’s crucial intervention.
AllStars had the ball cleared off the line midway through the first half to the disappointment of many neutrals who were urging them on and that is the closest they came to cause the second monumental upset at the competition following Monday’s heroics.
Beaten Nakuru All Stars players receive their bronze medals from FKF CEO, Robert Muthomi (2nd right) after losing their SportPesa Super Cup semi-final 2-0 to Gor Mahia at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam on June 8, 2017. PHOTO/SPN
Perhaps with an eye on the final, Otieno rested Kagere who was also among the goals when they crushed Leopards in the SPL in the 52nd minute for Oliver Maloba.
Maloba went on to be the architect of the second goal when his shot thundered off the cross bar inviting Odhiambo to emphatically fire in the rebound with a rising shot to seal the match.
The Super Cup decider will be the first ever meeting of the Kenyan arch rivals at a final on Tanzanian soil, with Leopards booking their ticket earlier when they knocked out Dar giants Yanga SC in the first semi final at the same venue.
The last time they vied for a trophy on foreign soil was during the 1985 Cecafa Club Championships where Gor overpowered Leopards 2-0 in Khartoum, Sudan.
AllStars will now return home to focus on their bid to return to the SPL next season with their heads high after winning the hearts of many in Dar and pocketing USD5,000 for making the last four.
They would have gratefully accepted that outcome at the start of the tournament they were given no chance of progressing past the opening day in what ranks as the greatest achievement since winning the national league in 1963 as AC Nakuru when they became the pioneer Kenyan club champions.
SQUADS
Gor Mahia FC
Harun Shakava (18), Fredrick Odhiambo (1), Innocent Wafula (14), Wellington Ochieng (4), Joash Onyango (12), Philemon Otieno (30), Francis Kahata (8), Kenneth Muguna (10), Timothy Otieno (17), Meddie Kagere (22), George Odhiambo (25)
Subs
Shaban Odonji (16), Bernard Odhiambo (15), Mike Simiyu (33), Anthony Mbugua (27), Amos Nondi (11), Teddy Osokhi (26), John Ndirangu (21), Oliver Maloba (28), Jeconia Uyoga (19).
Nakuru AllStars
Anthony Ng’ang’a (6), Martin Lule (30), Thomas Njenga (3), Teddy Omondi (4), James Mukhwana (17), Japheth Ekuba (5), Peter Kamau (10), Dennis Nandwa (8), Peter Amani (14), Geoffrey Kang’ethe (16), Daniel Ndungu (11).
Subs
Daniel Likoko (1), Philip Ooko (12), Peter Ndungu (7), Jerome Baraka (20), Peter Ng’ang’a (9), Fortunatas Ongoro (29), Joseph Egenya (19)
I wonder why Oliver Maloba is never given an opportunity in first eleven, that boy is brilliant. I can compare him with Eden Hazard or Delle Ally.Let Kogalo pick from where they left when Ingwe soaked in three goals.Everton nao watajua watu on 13/7/2017.
I have been a staunch fan of Maloba on this site as early as last year. The boy is gem and should be accorded more playtime. He practically run City Stars’ midfield for the most of last season. I still marvel at how immediately after setting up the seccond goal, he made a similar run beating two defenders, one of whom tried to hack him down before delivering a delightful 45 that sadly went begging. While Maloba is impressing, what is happening with our star of the future Nondi? In the two matches he has been so indecisive, looking out of sorts and losing possesson all over. The TB needs to do something for the boy’s confidence. He is such a promising lad who needs to become better and better not regress after an impressive 2016 campaign.
Well done team, let’s approach the final as “underdogs”.Knockout tournaments sometimes favour struggling teams not convining ones.There is no room for overconfidence.Lastly thank-you Zico you’ve drafted a strong message to “holiday loving” Ze Maria & Co.Please sign it off with a victory against efusi. Praying for a K’Ogalo victory.
I liked the team that played in the 2nd half.This being my third sofa set game I would like to ask @Musymo who I presume has seen more games.How does each department compare with our Ze Maria 1st eleven.I saw a bit of short passes,long balls and nice solo runs on wings.Does it also happen under Maria?
@moses, I am not saying this just because I am anti-Ze Maria but Zicos second 11 has played far more exciting soccer than Ze Maria’s first 11. And possible reasons could be what Jasego always alludes to Ze Maria micro managing players where they have to play to his instructions to the letter even when occassion demands otherwise. That is the reason why we found it difficult to win games we conceded first under Ze Maria. No Plan B. In Dar es Salaam you could see the likes of Berry, Maloba expressing themselves more, not afraid to try something new and playing with more freedom. zico is also more liberal and pragmatic with his substitutions. In yesterday’s game Wafula was not at his usual best and was promptly replaced. In the local league we have unproductive players spending 75 minutes on the pitch and by the time they are substituted, it is always too late. That said, almost all our players are quality and Gor does not have a second 11 or a first 11. Those who have watched the two matches will tell you that Philemon is just as good as Wendo, Mbugua just as good or maybe better than Muguna(I will be slaughtered here), Maloba just as good plus more decisive and direct than Tuyisenge so I pray that in the second leg, the match day squad be given on merit and not on favouritism or the fact that so and so plays for which national team.
@ musymo you have hit the nail on the head. It was like K’Ogalo were in a training session. That what you meant by players being given freedom and room to express themselves on the pitch. playing good football and scoring at ease.
Anthony Mbugua ”Baggio” is just as good as Muguna but physically more imposing thereby can help in breaking opponents play…Not to take anything from Muguna though who has deft intelligent passes and good playmaking abilities he just requires Gym kidogo…Nondi my boy i cant fathom what is wrong that was my wonder kid last season killing tusker and chemelil with beautiful dribbling and hard shots on goal i don’t know whats wrong..Maloba just wonderful to watch and our game changer in this SuperCup
Muguna with his physique and intelligence reminds me of one….Magaongo alias Zamalek. Yes , Zamalek has been reborn.
Gud game.I hope the team doesn’t play AFC with @wuod suba attitude. My only dissapointment is Nondi(though he gave an assist),the fact that he’s wearing GM Jersey/stardom seems 2 affect him.somebody should talk to the boy,he’s not playing to his full potential, the desire to break into 1st 11 is not thea compared to the likes of mbugua,maloba,otieno .Admin in a digital era you posts are just to late.
You are right…admins postings are rather slow. ..in tz maybe? Anyway..thanks team kogallo n congrats…please do not underrate ingwe..all the best..you are the best!
Ingwe karibu nyumbani wembe ni ule ule kiwanja ndio tofauti…Congrats team and yes Musymo the players are very free under Zico and don’t worry much about getting instructions from the touchline on where to pass the ball so end product is Gor is playing similar football as we were under Nuttal which has always been our strongest point. Levelmind Fan correctly states that to equate our game to tiki taka is kujichocha for we are playing attacking football according to our strength which always overwhelms teams even when they try approach the game defensively they eventually break due to incessant unending raids on their goal area. To other things how many are joining me to travel to Dar to watch gklory be bestowed upon the mighty?Oduor12 arwakii come we go…A person uko wapi..BB amosi
Jakom wuod Asego, even the back passes are gone. Its so sad that once Ze Maria comes back from holiday for the second leg, we will be back to the boring tiki taka full of backpasses played mostly in our half!!!
Exactly man lethargic displays that just render the game dull and boring too much labor no goal output…How beautiful it is to see a forward moving goal scoring intent Kogalo run Amok in TZ once more..Even commentators say they can smell a goal no matter how hard teams defend…Now is it a crime for Ze Maria to keep this type of football going and mark our return to glory days whereby teams would come try as they may but breakdown and face Mahia in the second half?
Is it true that Kagere is leaving for Yanga?
Rumours so far bro..No formal request on the same received by GM just excited soccer pundits in TZ trying to assuage the Yanga fans into demanding that signing. Remember how in Cecafa 2015 all our Marquee players were reportedly on radars of TZ Teams..Azam wanted Olunga and Aucho..Simba wanted Karim and Sibomana and Yanga wanted Bonnie our keeper…Still should they make a formal bid i would expect AR to reject it in its entirety since we have an acute striking deficiency that we ourselves are trying to fill
These Tanzanian teams are constantly threatening to take our players. We need to get our act in order bwana.
Every time Kogalo goes to Tanzania to play, hizo teams zinaanza ujinga eti they want Kogalo players. Bure kabisa.
Ja’Asego you have made my day. I will leave through Lunga Lunga tomorrow. See you in Dar, guys.
Tunayo kazi moja tu, tunayo kazi moja…Kazi ni kumpiga Ogwang’. Sababu ya kumpiga tunalo, uwezo wa kumpiga tunao na niya ya kumpiga tunayo.
My only worry is our jinx in finals where prize money is at stake. A couple of years ago while under BW we let go 1 m to Ogwang’ just like that. Guys let us refuse, rebuke and break this jinx. The work of Ogwang’ is to be beaten.
O yes!!! We thank God n gi ve him glory for the win. Also trust him to lift the trophy.
There is one option , one opening for the EC to redeem Kogallo. And that is to make Ze Maria the Technical Director and elevate Zico to full head coach. That is my opinion. Jasego Kanyada ongea tusikie
i fully support you jamiriambo….zico nyale
@ Jamriambo, I fully support your idea of Ze Maria becoming director and Zico coach . The only problem with AR is that he has no respect for the local coaches.
Having said that , the way the boys are playing in TZ is reflection that this is the best squad and come 2nd leg, let them continue.
Let Tuiyesenge and Migi be loaned and we look for one local midfielder and probably one striker from Uganda.History has it that Uganda strikers and midfielders have been doing good at k’ogalo. ….Remember Tim Ayieko…..
That Jausenge and Mig loan bracket should be expanded? to include Ze Maria, Aurelio and Sandro Fantoni.
@BB Sandro Fantoni “ONYANGO” is in DAR with the team. Personally apart from his antics i do think that he does his job and has really worked on the players fitness level.. Let Ja -Italia remain with ZICO but the other two (Jo-Brazil) should be added more leave days “ndio roho zetu zi itulie…”
Just to update you, Ayieko, Ouma and many others are Luos from wider Kisumu who decided to get UG citizenship and stay there forever after their parents acquired properties in that land
4 buses leaving to Dar Es Salaam tomorrow……….
AFC LEOPARDS NEW COACH SENTIMENTS ON GOR MAHIA
Dorian Marin is elated at the prospect of facing off with Kenyan Arch Rivals Gor Mahia instead of Nakuru Allstars in the SportPesa Super Cup final to be held at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar Es Salaam
Why Gor Mahia?
The Romanian coach who linked up with the 13-time Kenyan Premier League champions noted that his game is precious counter attack, getting the ball in small areas, using strength and mind before heaping praise on K’ogalo.
-My football is a precious game which includes counter attack, getting the ball in small areas, using strength and mind because without using you mind you cannot get chances. They [Gor Mahia] played the best football I saw here. I was impressed by them. They have very good players and they know how to build up. I don’t want Nakuru in the finals [I want Gor Mahia] why Gor? Because I want the champions to play us in the finals and that says I am not foolish but I have to be happy with any opponents. If you compare Gor Mahia and Simba, Gor Mahia play better. To me Football is a game of winning, not ball possession, for example if I have Leopards controlling the ball possession and our opponents wins the match with one goal then we have not done anything, the tactician said.
Efusi coach has finished our argument on brazilian tiki taka that yields no goals moving forward we must agree the way we are playing now in TZ under Zico should be carried on into the second leg and not revert to our struggling back passes full possession game…
Jasaegi i challenge you bwana to comment on my above post. Zico coach and Ze Maria Tech director. Kose nango
agreed! Tiki taka MUST GO! See you all in TZ on Sunday.
@ Jakoyo it is not about Tiki-Taka but rather a case of who calls the shot on the touchline. Now we can very easily evaluate the performance of JO-DALA Versus JO-BRAZIL without any favor or bias .
After our BAD-LUCK oriented result while playing against THIKA; that is according to Ze Maria school of thought; i did warn him that our tolerance limit with regards to his mediocre team selection and tactless formation had hit the roof ceiling and he was living on a very thin line as Head of K’Ogalo TB.
Now in his absence ZICO’s exploits in DAR irrespective of whether he lifts the trophy or not will be a large looming shadow in our minds whenever K’Ogalo gets on the pitch whether Ze Maria likes it or not. Fans will not hesitate to compare notes on “WHAT HAPPENED WHILE HE WAS ON HOLIDAY”.
And if in any case ZICO lifts that trophy then Ze Maria goose will have been cooked properly. The same case will apply to certain players who of late have been getting a lot of playing time with nothing to show off.
The EC forced ZICO down Ze Maria after he could not work with OGWENO and later on OTTAMAX (Read JO-DALA). We Jo-K’Ogalocore culture of being a very thankless lot and ZICO understand that philosophy as a former player and coach. We will praise and at the same castigate the TB with the same zeal and zest depending on the prevailing circumstances..
Sportpesa Super cup tournament has been a blessing in disguise to K’Ogalo fraternity and setting a date with EVERTON f.c in case lady lucks knocks at ZICO and the boys; then this will be the rallying point for fans to scrutinize Ze Maria’s performance in the remaining first leg fixtures with a tooth comb. There is always some under lying tensions when having club former star players as your assistant since they have a better understanding of the club PHILOSOPHY and the fans expectations.
That is why Gigs knew that he could work with Van Gaal based on his management style and not Jose Mourihno at Man U. Zizou the just concluded La=liga and EUFA performance at Les Blancos can not compared to Benitez. Players understand him and he also understand them. That is the statement which ZICO and the so called fringe players according Ze Maria are sending from DAR.
“THAT THEY HAVE WHAT IT TAKES AND A BETTER WORKING CHEMISTRY THAT UNDERSTANDS K’OGALO PHILOSOPHY AND FANS EXPECTATION”.
OVER TO YOU ZE MARIA THE BALL IS ON YOUR COURT TO REDEEM AND PROVE YOURSELF
iam shocked by the level of confidence displayed by AFC coach;either he wants to park the bus or he has lost his marbles
@jakoyo…ati 4 buses leaving for Dar es salaam tomorrow morning? Are you kidding us? Whoever is leaving for Dar tomorrow by bus is not going to watch the game…unless they are going as tourists!!
@ oswozo, the 2 buses were flagged by sonko 3hour ago and the earlier (1st batch) 2 others left 12:00 noon saturday fully sponsored by one of Kogallo die hard politically affiliated fan!
Mimi niko ndani , ndani , ndani, ndani Kabisa!