Tusker, Gor Mahia on the brink in Confederation Cup
Tusker coach Robert Matano looks on during the first leg of their Caf Confederation Cup second round match against CS Sfaxien at the Nyayo National Stadium on November 28, 2021.
What you need to know:
- Matano though has never won against a team from any North African nation in his extensive coaching career.
- His CS Sfaxien counterpart Giovanni Solina acknowledged that the second leg will be wide open for both teams.
Tusker and Gor Mahia face a herculean task to reach the group stages of the Caf Confederation Cup after aunconvincing results in their respective play-offs over the weekend.
The brewers failed to find the net in their 0-0 draw against CS Sfaxien of Tunisia at the Nyayo National Stadium, while K'Ogalo lost 1-0 away to AS Otoho d'Oyo of Republic of Congo in their first leg matches.
Roland Okouri's 63rd minute strike in Brazzaville settled the contest. Gor host AS Otoho d'Oyo in the reverse fixture on Saturday, while Tusker will be away in Tunis the same day.
Tusker need a win of any sort or a scoring draw in Tunisia to advance to the group stages. A barren draw after normal time will see the winner decided on post-match penalties.
On the other hand, Gor has to win by two unanswered goals at home, but any kind of draw will see them eliminated. Teams advancing to the group stages of the competition will get a Sh27 million token from the continental body.
K'Ogalo jetted back into the country on Monday evening from Brazzaville, and coach Mark Harrison and Sporting Director Lordvick Aduda accused their hosts of harassment while in the Central African country.
Harrison questioned the validity of the Covid-19 test results which returned positive for Burundian attacker Jules Ulimwengu and combative defensive midfielder John Ochieng'.
With a lean squad of only 15 players, Gor also suffered a set back after right back Philemon Otieno sustained an injury on the eve of the game, while Sydney Ochieng' had only just returned from injury.
That meant Harrison had only reserve custodian Caleb Omondi in the bench and could not make any changes throughout the game.
"It was very difficult. We took Jules and John for retesting and the authorities declined to give us the results, and were thus forced to sit out the match," said Harrison.
"Generally it was a good show by the players under the circumstances (lean squad and humid conditions) the results can be easily turned in the return leg match.
The team is coming back today and embarking on early preparations," added the 61-year-old.
Aduda claimed that a part from a cold reception, their opponents also engaged in unsporting behaviour prior to the match.
"They used witchcraft and it was evident in the video we recorded before the game. It is sad and interesting these things are still being practicised in football in this era in Africa," said an agitated Aduda.
Elsewhere, Tusker coach Robert Matano is bullish of a win in the second leg,.
Matano though has never won against a team from any North African nation in his extensive coaching career.
His CS Sfaxien counterpart Giovanni Solina acknowledged that the second leg will be wide open for both teams.
