Gor, Tusker face uphill task

Gor Mahia and Tusker edged closer to the exit door in continental football after yet again suffering defeats in the first round of CAF Confederations Cup and African Champions League last Friday and Saturday respectively.

The two teams qualified to represent Kenya in Africa after clinching the league and domestic cup titles last season and had offered hope to a majority of supporters following impressive results against Seychelles opponents in the preliminary round.

Gor’s hopes of clinching African glory are quickly fading after they were humbled 3-0 in Cairo by ENNPI in the first leg match of the Caf Confederations Cup on Friday evening.

This outcome leaves K’Ogalo on the brink, as they must now win the return leg in Nairobi in two weeks by four goals to progress to the second round.
Injured quartet

But pundits have questioned coach Zdravko Logarusic’s decisions to include the injured quartet of Ivan Anguyo, Paul Mungai Kiongera, Moses ‘Dube’ Odhiambo and Rama Salim for the Cairo assignment.

Kiongera and Odhiambo are said to have failed late fitness tests and sat out of the match, while Anguyo was substituted in the second half. Gor secretary-general George Bwana has, however, defended Logarusic.

“Their will always be criticism when results don’t come our way and we accept that. The players (Rama, Kiongera and Anguyo) are an integral part of the team, and it’s understandable if the coach fields them in a match of such magnitude.

If the results were positive, we could all be praising a ‘masterclass decision’ while calling the players heroes,” said Bwana.

He remains optimistic that Gor stand a good chance of overhauling the huge deficit.

Tusker’s battle seems lighter than Gor’s, at-least on paper, but Robert Matano’s charges will first have to do what no Kenyan team has done before by winning in Egypt if they are to advance to the second round of the Caf Champions League.

The Kenyan champions conceded two quick second-half goals in their first leg match against Al Ahly at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday, and although they reduced the score through Jesse Were just after the hour mark, the damage had already been done and Tusker must win by two clear goals in Cairo to stand a chance of progressing.

“Lack of concentration and inexperience cost us this match, but we are still very much in the race. We’ll give our all in Cairo,” said a visibly disappointed Matano.

On evidence of the first leg match however, Tusker retain a slim chance, albeit if the players carry their shooting boots and convert a majority of chances that went begging.

Luke Ochieng’ blazed over with only the goalkeeper to beat from a corner midway through the first half, while Michael Olunga hesitated with only Sherif Ekramy to beat in the second half allowing Saad Samir to clear the danger for a corner.

Olunga was at it again on the stroke of 90 minutes but effort went wide.