{"id":7622,"date":"2015-11-10T04:18:32","date_gmt":"2015-11-10T04:18:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gormahia.net\/latest\/?p=7622"},"modified":"2015-11-10T04:37:34","modified_gmt":"2015-11-10T04:37:34","slug":"resiliency-will-carry-gor-mahia-to-gotv-shield","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gormahia.net\/latest\/news\/resiliency-will-carry-gor-mahia-to-gotv-shield\/","title":{"rendered":"Resiliency will carry Gor Mahia to GoTV shield"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Nizigiyimana holds the KPL Top 8 Image courtesy of goal.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If there is one adjective that can describe Gor Mahia’s performance over the first two months it is Resilient. If you are looking for another one then perhaps focused is the best fit.<\/p>\n

Resilient because every team that plays against Gor Mahia brings forth their best effort because every team wants to be known as the team that ended Gor Mahia’s unbeaten run. Thus every team is playing their heart out and using every trick in the book. Some like Tusker and Ulinzi have resorted to rough play in a bid to disrupt Gor Mahia’s rhythm but it has been too no avail. Some have resorted to gamesmanship by accusing match officials of helping Gor Mahia. None of it has taken Gor Mahia off their rhythm.<\/p>\n

Note also that Gor Mahia have played far more matches than any other team in Kenya today. Not only are they still playing inthe GoTv shield, but they were also in the final of the KPL Top 8. They played in the CECAFA club cup, the Africa champions league, the Supercup as well as the KPLC Charity cup earlier in the year.<\/p>\n

Gor Mahia players are also actively involved in various national teams. Michael Olunga, Boniface Oluoch, Harun Shakava, Musa Mohamed, Karim Nizigiyimana, Abouba Sibomana, Khalid Aucho, Geoffrey Walusimbi and also Dirkir Glay are all constantly in international action. Olunga for his part has played for both the senior national team and the U23 team. This fatigue has on occassion appeared to take its toll on Gor Mahia players but they have found ways to overcome it.<\/p>\n

And finally Gor Mahia players and officials have had to play all year through erratic pay schedules. Salaries have not always been paid on time for players. And for some officials, months have gone without seeing any pay. But yet again the technical bench and team have risen above it.<\/p>\n

This resiliency was on display this past weekend when Gor Mahia played against a tough and determined SoNy Sugar side that had recently dispatched Sofapaka 3-1. Against Gor Mahia they took an early lead and held onto it as if they were holding onto dear life. With twelve minutes left, many Gor Mahia fans had given up. Some were writing posts on social media suggesting that if Gor Mahia’s unbeaten record were to end then it is acceptable that it end against SoNy Sugar.<\/p>\n

But Gor Mahia players had other ideas and never gave up. A double sunk SoNy Sugar leaving them with no alternative but to usethe Standard excuse that referees were to blame.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a team we were not happy with decisions which were made on the material day, it was like we were not supposed to win, but them. That the final was already won before being played and that was not good at all. Kagere scored from an offside position, and the goal was allowed, and that penalty, our player was down, and in other occasion we have seen referees waving play on, but it was a different case here.” said Andrew Sekayombya of SoNy to goal.com.<\/p>\n

Never mind the fact that Gor Mahia outplayed Sony for most of the match.<\/p>\n

Focus<\/h2>\n

Gor Mahia wrapped up the league title almost two months ago on September 16 when they beat SoNy Sugar 1-0. One would have thought that after having won the league, Gor Mahia players would rest on their laurels and take their foot off the accelerator pedal. Instead Gor Mahia have gone on yet another winning spree. In the league, they dispatched Sofapaka and Muhoroni 2-0, while Western Stima and Tusker were beaten 1-0. And Gor Mahia went on to beat Tusker yet again in the KPL Top 8, marking the 3rd time Gor Mahia has beaten Tusker this season.<\/p>\n

While Gor Mahia has continued to win, every other team in Kenya has lost at least one game since September 16. Second placed Ulinzi succumbed to a loss to Bandari last week in the GoTv shield. And on October 18 they were drubbed 2-0 by Thika United. Meanwhile Sofapaka, Ingwe and Tusker have lost more times in the last two months than this author can count. All the while, Gor Mahia are still going strong.<\/p>\n

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Variety<\/h2>\n

Unlike past seasons, Gor Mahia are not overly dependent on one player. This has been a key factor in maintaining the unbeaten run. When Olunga is having an off game, Kagere will step forward and score crucial goals. When neither of them can find the net, Ali Abondo will rise to the occasion.<\/p>\n

The supply of passes also shows similar variety. Attacks are built either from the flanks or through the middle and players like Wafula, Nizigiyimana, Sibomana and Walusimbi are all capable of providing decisive assists. Opposing teams are stretched to the limit because they cannot focus on any particular player.<\/p>\n

This is unlike past seasons when the Gor Mahia offence was known as “Patia Sserunkuma”. Coach Frank Nuttall has rejuvenated the attack and provided much needed variety.<\/p>\n

Players like Blackberry, Agwanda, Jerim Onyango etc who are used to being in the starting line-up have shown patience and when called upon have delivered results. Even Ali Abondo went through a stretch on the bench. But he came back rejuvenated and is now scoring regularly again.<\/p>\n

GoTV Shield next<\/h2>\n

Coach Nuttall and other technical bench members including Bobby Legend, Mathew Ottamax and Frank Ouna deserve praise for keeping the players focused. Ouna has vowed that Gor Mahia will keep their eyes on their next target which is the GoTV shield.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe thank God for our win on Saturday against Sony, it was a difficult match but we managed to win and in the process bag our second trophy. Thanks to the fans, they cheered us through the entire match and we are very happy with the outcome. It has been a good season to everyone associated with this big club.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe GOtv Shield is up next, and we do not want to lose it, we want also to give the same commitment like the other competitions we have won. So we will give our best and try to take it home too. We know it will be difficult but we have what it takes to secure it.\u201d said Ouna go goal.com<\/p>\n

With the resiliency, patience and focus that Gor Mahia has shown, there is no reason to doubt that they will secure their fourth title of the season. They will take on Administration Police in the quarter-finals. Dates and venue have yet to be finalized.<\/p>\n

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