Gor Mahia created numerous chances especially in the first half but were unable to capitalize due to a combination of good goalkeeping by the Esperance keeper and being denied by the woodwork.\u00a0 The match ended 0-0.<\/p>\n
Gor Mahia thoroughly dominated possession in the first half. Tuyisenge was denied by the post after being put through by Kahata. Kagere was twice denied by very good goalkeeping. While Joash Onyango’s header from a Kahata corner went inches wide. Esperance appeals for a penalty when their left winger was felled, was denied by an alert referee.<\/p>\n
In the second half, Gor Mahia slowed down slightly and were also slowed down by the poor state of the playing surface. Esperance for their part seemed to be playing for a draw and hardly ventured forward.\u00a0 Gor Mahia’s best effort in the second half came via a Francis Kahata free-kick which the goalkeeper parried.<\/p>\n
All in all Gor Mahia played well. The defence was solid. Oluoch was steady in goal and midfield created chances. The good news is that Gor Mahia did not concede an away goal.<\/p>\n
Match Attendance was below par largely because the match was being televised by various media none of whom paid to televise the match.<\/p>\n
Additional reporting from Citizen Sports
\nKenyan record league champions Gor Mahia have an uphill task in the second leg of their CAF Champions League clash with Tunisia giants Esperance, after registering a barren stalemate in the first leg played at the Kenyatta stadium, Machakos on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
An encounter full of emotions it was, with Gor missing glorious chances in the first stanza they well commanded.<\/p>\n
A rare occurrence saw Godfrey Walusimbi and Haythen Jovini burst the ball in the first minute, after a fierce contest near Gor\u2019s goalmouth.<\/p>\n
Frustrating afternoon as Gor miss chances, draw with Esperance
\nBy Jacob Icia For Citizen Digital
\ntime updated Updated on: 1815, March 7, 2018 (EAT),<\/p>\n
Frustrating afternoon as Gor miss chances, draw with Esperance
\nGor players George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo9Right) and Godfrey Walusimbi being challenged by an Esperance marker at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos\/PHOTO\/Stafford Ondego\/Sportpicha
\nIn Summary<\/p>\n
Gor Mahia have an uphill task in the second leg of their CAF Champions League clash with Tunisia giants Esperance.
\n An encounter full of emotions it was, with Gor missing glorious chances in the first stanza they well commanded.
\n The unyielding battle continued and Kerr had to throw Bernard Ondieki and Samuel Onyango into the fray, withdrawing Philemon Otieno and a worn out Odhiambo respectively.<\/p>\n
Kenyan record league champions Gor Mahia have an uphill task in the second leg of their CAF Champions League clash with Tunisia giants Esperance, after registering a barren stalemate in the first leg played at the Kenyatta stadium, Machakos on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
An encounter full of emotions it was, with Gor missing glorious chances in the first stanza they well commanded.<\/p>\n
A rare occurrence saw Godfrey Walusimbi and Haythen Jovini burst the ball in the first minute, after a fierce contest near Gor\u2019s goalmouth.<\/p>\n
Gor\u2019s goalie Boniface Oluoch reacts during their Caf Champions League match at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos county on March 07, 2018. Photo\/Stafford Ondego\/Sportpicha.<\/p>\n
Meddie Kagere\u2019s header flew over the crossbar in the eighth minute, after connecting Francis Kahata\u2019s cross who had skillfully dodged past Khalil Chanan.<\/p>\n
Three minutes later, miscommunication between Kahata and Kagere wasted the most promising chance till then, the former\u2019s through pass missing the latter\u2019s leg by inches.<\/p>\n
Jacques Tuyisenge would shortly land on a neat cross across the goal from Kahata, only to rattle the woodwork with a powerful shot, with the Esperance custodian Noel Ben Shariffa well beaten.<\/p>\n
Gor trio of Kagere, Tuyisenge and Kahata were causing the 2011 Caf champions constant trouble on their goal. In the 21st minute, Kahata danced around Chanan, to set up Kagere in the box, whose right foot shot forced Shariffa to reflex dive to punch it out for a corner.<\/p>\n
A minute later, Tuyisenge\u2019s attempt was parried out by the hardworking Shariffa, with K\u2019Ogalo fans on their feet in anticipation of what appeared to be an outright goal.<\/p>\n
By the 25th minute, display by the Dylan Kerr coached side had charged the fans, though few for the mouthwatering clash, whose encouraging songs and cheers were electrifying.<\/p>\n
Notably, Machakos County Governor Alfred Mutua, and his Nyeri counterpart Mutahi Kahiga, rose to encourage the fans to cheer on more, gesturing at the parked VIP stand enthusiastically. His Nyeri counterpart Mutahi Kahiga joined the \u2018elite fan-base\u2019, with a short lived dance though.<\/p>\n
Realising the attacking mentality Gor had in the match, the entire Esperance retreated to guard their goal leaving only Jovini and Yossef Blaili upfront, seeking to hit Gor on counter attack.<\/p>\n
In the 37th, Joash Onyango\u2019s cross-cum-shot rubbed the side netting with the keeper off his place, with a diving Kagere missing narrowly ending up in the net himself.<\/p>\n
Onyango had denied Blaili who has been released open by Foscent Coulibaly from the middle with rest of defenders falling in the counter attack trap, before advancing fast to execute his attempt.<\/p>\n
The last chance of the first stanza fell to Kahata from George \u2018Blackberry\u2019 Odhiambo\u2019s cross, but his poorly finished header was easy for Shariffa to collect.<\/p>\n
Five corners to Gor\u2019s credit going to the break and close attempts was all the home fans could count, as Esperance took stock of superb defending at the bumby and slightly muddy surface.<\/p>\n
At resumption, Esperance brought on Annis Ben Hijra for Blaili, followed by Bilel Nestri for a meangful attack.<\/p>\n
Hijra needed only a minute on the pitch to test Gor\u2019s goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch, heading a loose ball to the extreme left corner that he had tip off the target for a corner.<\/p>\n
The encounter was soon balanced, both sides knocking interchangeably on the opposite goals.<\/p>\n
As the visitors tossed the last dice by introducing Maher Ben Shaieri for Jovini in the 70th, Gor brought on Kelvin Omondi for Kahata, who had immensely lost his initial rhythm.<\/p>\n
The unyielding battle continued and Kerr had to throw Bernard Ondieki and Samuel Onyango into the fray, withdrawing Philemon Otieno and a worn out Odhiambo respectively.
\nIn the 85th, Ondieki almost grabbed one for Gor with a 30-yard shot, only to miss narrowly to the disappointment of eager fans.
\nThe determined North Africans appeared comfortable with the stalemate, employing time wastage tactics as the clock ticked fast to full time.
\nThe result means any draw of goals in the second leg (March 17 in Tunis) will send K\u2019Ogalo in the second round of the competition.<\/p>\n