Kagere strikes twice as Gor Mahia see of Jangombe
Image courtesy of Holy Bonfire
It was a flying start for Kogalo in the inaugural Sportpesa Supercup. Rwandese striker Meddie Kagere struck twice to give his side a 2-0 win over Zanzibari side Jangombe. The match was played at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam. Kogalo were dominant despite missing several key players: Boniface Oluoch, captain Musa Mohammed, Earnest Wendo, Karim Nizigiyimana, Jean Baptiste. Yet it was the Zanzibaris who looked the better side in the first few minutes with Abdi Kassim and Khamis Musa both missing gilt edged chances.
After scoreless first half, Gor Mahia went on the offensive. Their efforts were rewarded in the 66th minute when Kagere connected to a cross from Kenneth Muguna and finished with a sublime header. Gor Mahia continued to press and their efforts were rewarded. A Jangombe defender was adjudged to have handled the ball in th epenalty box. Kagere slotted the resulting penalty to seal the score.
In the other opening match, second tier side Nakuru All stars shocked Tanzanian giants Simba, beating them 5-4 on penalties. This is much to the chagrin of the organizers who were hoping that Simba would play Kogalo in the semis in order to fill the stadium. Instead it is Nakuru who will face Kogalo.
Gor Mahia XI: 1. Peter Odhiambo, 14. Innocent Wafula, 4. Wellington Ochieng, 12. Joash Onyango, 18. Haron Shakava, 30. Philemon Otieno, 10. Kenneth Muguna, 8. Francis Kahata, 17. Timothy Otieno, 22. Meddie Kagere, 33. Mike Simiyu.
Sub: 16. Shaban Odhoji, 15. Bernard Odhiambo, 11. Amos Nondi, 27. Anthony Mbugua, 26. Teddy Osok, 28. Oliver Maloba, 25. George Odhiambo, 21. John Ndirangu, 19. Jeconiah Uyoga
Congrats, Philemon was good and kagere could have scored 4 goals,he wasted two clear chances but that’s football.
Philemon can be a long term replacement for Gatusso as I have said before. Calm on the ball, a good reader of the game, a hard tackler and an eye for the forward pass. Wafula was tops and if you watched Simiyu for the time he was on the pitch, you would want to ask the EC and TB why they need another left back. With substitute appearances and confidence-building, the lad can make it. I had said this ‘second 11 could spring a suprise and that wish and hope remain alive with Nakuru All Stars next on the chopping board. The fact that they eliminated Simba shows they are not also-rans. We approach the game with the seriousness it deserves.
I saw zico commenting about watching opponents on you tube. Thats a smart coach unlike BW who sulked over clubs with big budget , 3 years ago when we lost to Esperance.
So tiki taka is all empty talk after all! I bet Ze maria like his ignorant counterpart BW, would have definately struggled in this tournament.
Jakoyo you are absolutely right. I am reminded of how the Israelite women sung: Saul killed hundreds, but David has killed tens of thousands. Here, Ze Maria is the master of draws, but Zico wins with more than one goal to no reply. I feel bad that I didn’t watch this match. However, if Musymo watched then I go with what he saw.
The truth is that Gor played our usual game. Our advantage over the opponents was our physicality, pace as well as our tiki taka combined with our local ‘game’. We are still wasteful in front of goal. Kagere and Timothy as well as other players had handful of chances to score but calmness or selfishness got the better of us.
The game against Nakuru will be tough. After knocking out Simba the team must be feeling motivated.
Praising Zico after our win is in order but unfortunately the same same fans would be on his neck if he loses the next game.
Wish the team all the best. Get the trophy, the Ksh 3m as well as a chance to play Everton. That’s enough motivation
@DO you seem a bit reserved. I say usual game, usual wastefullness but an unusual 2-0 victory under Zico. With Ze Maria would it have been the usual “unlucky” draw or at most the narrowest of victories? Keep in mind that Zico (& Pamzo) have most likely improved/sharpened their skills and are better coaches since their previous GMFC posting.I don’t think they just stagnated.Kudos team, be wary of All Stars our bogey team of sorts but I agree with @DO the 3M & Everton is motivation factor for all except team Ze Maria. Shades of 1985 Rumble In The Sudan.
I am hoping for a Gor Mahia vs Yanga final. That will be a crowd puller.
But congratulations are due to Nakuru All Stars and if Kogalo under-rates them, they will pay the price.
It is important to appreciate little? achievement. A little appreciation of Zico’s achievement is the umph that he needs to lead the team to glory in Dar.. From the look of things, Zico will be walking in the shadows of Ze Maria and his tuorist band for a long time. Those guys will not be sacked anywhere in the near future. So let us seize this window and celebrate Zico because soon he will have to retreat back to his cage as the tourists underperform.
As the saying goes, “beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder”.I think this tiki taka thing in GM is over rated.Playing 2,3-4 passes b4 the play breaks should not be reffered 2 as tiki taka.I watched Simba play(kudos to NKR Stars) in the 1st half they knocked the ball,perfectly well ,building frm the back to attack,you could see the flow, whereas for GM joash,shakava,miguna,kahata always playing long ball after 1 or 2 passes.Think tiki taka should be seen as building from the back to attack & being able to string more than 10 passes(ball possession) .At GM we are playing local game hiyo ingine ni “kujichocha”.Nevertheless CONGRATS 4 THE WIN TEAM.
Laughable. ……AFC coach wants to meet For Mahia in finals.
Wise man advise, let him need Yanga first.
Laughable. ……AFC coach wants to meet Gor Mahia in finals.
Wise man advise, let him beat Yanga first.
Great Gor Mahia vs AFC in Far finals.
Both teams can meet now….Am seeing K’ogalo pocketing 3m….And this time let the players be paid.