Gor Mahia go down to El Merreikh

[faraja]

Story from Pulse Live

K'Ogalo have been left with a mountain to climb ahead of the return leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round.
Record FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia fell 1-0 to El Merreikh Bentiu of South Sudan during the CAF Champions League first round, first-leg match played at Juba Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Mohamed Musa scored the crucial goal in the first half, giving the Red Devils the advantage ahead of the second leg, set to be played in Nairobi next weekend.


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Gor Mahia started the match strongly and threatened in the opening minutes, with Enock Morrison having a strong penalty appeal turned down, before Levin Odhiambo sent a lob over goalkeeper Juma but saw it skip just wide of the mark.


K'Ogalo had another glaring chance – again falling to Alpha Onyango – in the 28th minute after a rebound from a corner kick fell kindly for the forward, but he put his header wide at the same time as taking a kick to the chest from teammate Chris Ochieng.

El Merriekh's main source of attack was finding beanpole striker Musa and looking to build off his flick-ons or hold-up play. One such example created space for Wayi to shoot from the edge of the box, but he sent his effort wide.

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The second half started very slowly with the first chance on goal only coming in the 60th minute when Alpha Onyango unleashed a powerful shot from just outside the box, but Bentiu's goalkeeper made a good save to deny him.

El Merrikh eventually broke the deadlock in the 67th minute, as Mohamed Musa did well to utilize Gor Mahia's defensive errors before sending the ball into the back of an empty net.


Gor Mahia had a chance to net an equalizer ten minutes before time but a cross from Shariff Musa cross was headed over the host goal.

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Bentiu then wasted two great opportunities in quick succession as Kuich volleyed over from close range before Musa failed to connect inside the area.

The lead could have been doubled in the 82nd minute, Saaka turned provider to thread a pass to Ater, but the midfielder blasted over from 12 yards out.

Gor Mahia substitute Samuel Kapen almost snatched a last-minute equalizer but the midfielder headed a Paul Ochuoga's cross against the goal-frame.

How they lined up:
El Merreikh: Juma, Ater, Pal, Wani, Shiriff, Wayi, Chuol, Ramkel, Samuel, Techloch, Musa

Substitutes:Gai, Omot, Abui, Omer, Kuich, Saaka, Zuorga, Jack

Gor Mahia: Omondi Kevin, Owino Sylvester, Ochieng Geoffrey (C), Onyango Joshua, Ochuoga Paul, Omija Alphonse, Alpha Onyango, Enock Morrison, Odhiambo Levin, Omondi Bonface, Ochieng Chris

Substitutes:Caleb, Philemon, Kennedy, Lawrence, Rodgers, Shariff, Bendeka, Kapen, Austin