Gor Mahia held by AFC 0-0

faraja
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Gor Mahia held by AFC 0-0

Post by faraja »

The much anticipated mashemeji derby ended 0-0.

Additional Reporting from the Nation

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On a day when AFC Leopards assistant coach Anthony "Modo" Kimani dressed for the occasion, his team never turned up.

Draped in a dark grey suit, white shirt and a blue-checked tie, Kimani arrived at Kasarani looking like a modern football coach but the result and performance from Ingwe never matched his elegant look.

Leopards, victorious in their last three league matches, had a slow start and they had goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan to thank for not falling behind early on. Twice, he was tested by Gor Mahia skipper Kenneth Muguna from set piece situations but he did well to parry and keep Ingwe in the game.

Lining up his team in a 4-4-2 diamond formation with Collins Shichenje on the base of the midfield and Marvin Nabwire playing behind strikers Elvis Rupia and Bienvenue Shaka, Kimani's plan to have ball players Austin Odhiambo and Fabrice Mugheni in and around the final third didn't work in a first half where Leopards failed to create a chance worth noting.


Gor, despite being a team under transition this season, looked more confident and had the better chances orchestrated by their captain Muguna whose level is now beyond the BetKing Premier League. The block of Ernest Wendo and Alpha Onyango have given Muguna the liberty to roam in midfield and he has done that to devastating effect this season.

If Charles Momanyi had kept his effort down after Ochan failed to effectively parry Muguna's effort from a freekick, Gor would have taken an early lead that was deserved in all aspects.

Leopards, who have since appointed Belgian Patrick Aussems to lead the club's quest for a first league title since 1998, are still far from convincing if this match is anything to go by.

The early substitutions by Kimani introducing Peter Thiong'o, Harrison Mwendwa and Eugene Mukangula injected some urgency and fluidity in midfield but still their dominance didn't translate to goals.

Shaka had the best chance after Mwendwa picked him up at the edge of the box with a cutback but his finish flew wide. In the end, Boniface Oluoch in Gor Mahia goal was barely troubled and Aussems, who was watching from the stands, knows he has his work out.

There were some positives though key among them the solid performances of the young AFC Leopards left back Lewis Bandi who is enjoying a break-out campaign so far. Clyde Senaji also complemented skipper Robinson Kamura at centre half.

However, Rupia - who occasionally had to drop back to pick possession - is silently craving for a better partner upfront. Shaka is similar to Rupia thus unsuitable but Austin Odhiambo would excel in a Number 10 role just behind Rupia who has proved to be a reliable striker when he gets the service.

Sitting fourth with 19 points, seven behind leaders Tusker but with two games in hand, all is not lost for AFC Leopards. It's still early days but Gor Mahia and Vaz Pinto will not be impressed by their tally of 16 points from nine matches.

This dour derby could potentially be a marker for both clubs and coaches of what is to come this season. Vaz Pinto has the extra burden of continental football but it's Aussems who will feel the heat more especially taking over a side that Kimani has already moulded into potential title contenders. Can he apply the finishing touch?
OJO
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Re: Gor Mahia held by AFC 0-0

Post by OJO »

Fair results. Especially when fans were not allowed. Hakuna haja some fans waumie.
utegi
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Re: Gor Mahia held by AFC 0-0

Post by utegi »

On a positive note, that shaky defense did not collapse as they have done in recent games.
faraja
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Re: Gor Mahia held by AFC 0-0

Post by faraja »

OJO wrote: Mon Feb 08, 2021 3:35 pm Fair results. Especially when fans were not allowed. Hakuna haja some fans waumie.

OJO congratulations on reaching the rank of bench warmer (10 posts) you can now start your own threads
faraja
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Re: Gor Mahia held by AFC 0-0

Post by faraja »

Vaz Pinto is satisfied with the results

Additional reporting from goal.com
Gor Mahia head coach Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto was impressed with his defence during the 0-0 Mashemeji Derby draw against AFC Leopards.

Prior to the game, K'Ogalo have dominated and they have not failed to score against Ingwe since 2016. However, on Sunday at the Kasarani Stadium, the two teams settled for a goalless draw in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League.

"I am not happy with the result because we always play to win the game," Pinto told Goal.
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"But I am happy the way the team played, especially in the first half. We also controlled the second half but did not create clear chances like we did in the first one.

"I am also happy with our defensive organization. When I came, this was the main problem of the team, but we managed to keep a clean sheet. I don't remember our opponents creating a clear scoring opportunity; I am happy to have at least solved it. "

The tactician hinted he might not sign more players especially after the arrival of former skipper Haron Shakava, Burkinabe midfielder Abdul Karim Nikiema Zoko and Brazilian forward Wilson Silva Fonseca.

"This is the squad we have, I am happy about the players and how they work," Pinto added.

"And I am sure we can achieve our goals of winning the league and get into the group stage of the Caf Confederation Cup."

K'Ogalo will play Napsa Stars of Zambia in the final preliminary round of Africa's second-tier club competition and the Portuguese has commented on it and hinted at his plans.

"Caf games are different from the league games. Napsa Stars have not started the season well but when it comes to Caf games it is a different story," he continued.


"We will analyse our opponents and prepare for the two games. We have a target of reaching the group stage, it is not only important to Gor Mahia but to Kenya as well because of the ranking.

"All players want to play in Caf because it gives them an opportunity to showcase their talents abroad."

After Sunday's game, Leopards are fourth on 19 points after nine games while Gor Mahia are sixth with 16 points from as many matches.
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