Omondi: Defensive solidity is key
Gor Mahia’s Boniface Omondi is optimistic that a solid defence will carry Gor Mahia to the next round of the CAF Champions League
Additional reporting from the Star
Boniface Omondi is optimistic that Kenyan champions Gor Mahia will see of Burundi’s Aigle Noir and reach the first round of the CAF Champions League.
Speaking after the team’s training conducted by coach Steven Polack at Camp Toyoyo, Omondi — a two-time league winner with K’Ogalo since joining from Nzoia United two years ago — touted his sides defensive solidity as a key plank in their quest to oust their Burundian opponents.
“We have shown a different aspect to our game in terms of defensive organisation. Many know us as an attacking side but we have blended that by being strong in defence and if we can maintain that solidity, then with our strikers and the advantage of playing in front of our own fans, then victory will be ours,” he said.
Omondi has fallen down the pecking order in the attacking midfield role he desires following the arrivals of new players among them Kenyan international Clifton Miheso but he said he craved the challenge of fighting for his place.
“Competition in the team is healthy. It keeps everyone on their toes. I relish the challenge of trying to impress the new coach just like everyone else. I believe everyone should earn a place in the team through merit,” stated Omondi.
Unlike in the first leg in Bujumbura which ended goalless, Gor will have a full squad to choose from having been limited to 15 players only in Burundi. However, team manager Jolawi Obondo confirmed that neither Ivorian Gipsan Yikpe, Ghanaian Francis Afiriye nor Miheso will be available for Sunday’s clash.
“These players will only be available in the next round should we go past Aigle Noir,” revealed Obondo.
Meanwhile, in a bid to maximize on their matchday attendances and gain more financial muscle through gate collections in the wake of the exit of Sportpesa, Gor have partnered with technology company — Infinity Tickets (Africa Data Technologies Limited) — to introduce e-ticketing ahead of the first home match of 2018/2019 season next weekend.
The revolutionary electronic system will boost the clubs revenues by weeding out the sale of fake tickets, said the club treasurer, Sally Bolo. The system is also in line with the club’s policy of implementing hassle-free access to Gor Mahia’s match-day tickets.
Will the match be live?Which TV channel?
At this stage, it will not be broadcasted
We also need e-registratio as members
The e-ticketing was a good idea whose time has come. Am proud to say that I have purchased one through this modern technology.
Now the stern test will be on Sunday. Let’s see how the scanning process works and thereafter what the gate collection will be vis a vie the manual ticketing process.
Good luck to the team on Sunday!
One wonders why the mainstream local TV stations will beam Bundesliga live and then hide our local matches in some dingy channel called KTN Burudani and another crazy thing called KPL Facebook account. Nick Mwendwa just killed football. How many people even know where to tune KTN Burudani? How many people have access to that nonsense called Facebook account. Anyway, I wish K’Ogalo would capitalize on that gap in live transmission of our matches by mobilizing as many fans as possible to attend our home matches.
Last weekend, having learnt that the supercup would be live only in KTN Burudani, I travelled all the way to Machakos through Tom Mboya monument where I boarded a manyanga draped in K’Ogalo colours and paid my 400/- to Machakos. The crew welcomed me into the minibus with lots of civility, but then things changed immediately we got to Mombasa road. That’s when I realized even as Barefoot Bandit, sitoshi mboga!
I was suddenly in the wrong place! That vehicle was actually an arrangement by Lucky Summer branch. Caution guys: those vehicles are dens for smoking bhang and swigging the most potent alcohol which the partakers themselves described as ‘yadh nego bie’.
I must however, commend their leaders who ordered them to tone down because they “have visitors”. Loyal football lovers should vote against this KTN Burudani and Facebook nonsense by attending our local matches. Only caution, please never board a manyanga hired by a group of fans. Big mistake.
@Michael Ogolo, True, we need e-registration as early as yesterday.
Why is the EC reluctant to tie e-ticketing with e-registration? I think we are forfeiting an opportunity here. An opportunity that might not present itself again soon.
Bandit is Oliech in camp? Are we under squaded?very risky game with this black angels_ jochiende in town.
From.the results Bandari got in Sudan we need ro be very careful and ensure we bury the game early enough. Even if it means playing unattractive football at this point it’s results that count.
This e-registration call is too much for our current EC as constituted. It needs someone who thinks digital and not the current status quo analogue team we have. This would have been a chance for the team to financially close some loopholes but the EC will still wait for Govt to bail them at the last mon6ute
I have been trying to buy two tickets since yesterday, but without success. Everytime I make an attempt I am informed that my request to purchase has been received and I should insert a pin once I receive a prompt. That prompt is never coming. Any suggestions? I am stressed that I may fail to attend this match.
BB it’s the handset you are using…Some particular Samsung Phones and iPhones have an stk push notification system error clash with the infinity ticket app so the prompt does not reach your handset. To solve tomorrow’s debacle in time get your wife or son or daughter or friends phone and create an account with your email then purchase the ticket and you will receive the QR Code on your email that you will use to gain entry into the stadium…
Thank you J’Asego.
Pole BB… Perhaps the system is jammed due to traffic of fans purchasing tickets.
Don’t give up.. Just keep trying. Am glad I did mine immediately I saw the alert. At that time there was less traffic
Question is, what happens if you and others fail to purchase online? Can’t we be given an alternative??!
Thank you sir.
Thurs Jasego Kanyada to kare Weche IT bende ilonye? Ayie. Koro losnwa joBurundi adimba. Your silence is golden Osiepa