GOR MAHIA IN FLIGHT MODE: Olunga's brace sinks KMKM of Zanzibar, puts K'Ogalo in Cecafa Club quarterfinals
Football
By
ERNEST NDUNDA DAR ES SALAAM
| Jul 20, 2015
Gor Mahia proved too good as they hit Zanzibar's KMKM 3-1 to become the first team to qualify for the quarter finals of the Cecafa Kagame Club Championships at National Stadium, Dar es salaam, Tanzania.
On-song Michael Olunga struck twice after setting up Meddie Kagere for Gor Mahia's opener after only three minutes.
Olunga's double strike ended KMKM's resistance which had looked credible especially after Anthony Saimon had headed the Zanzibaris level from Tizzo Chomba corner kick in the 11th minute.
Saimon went close to equalizing for KMKM when he rattled the side netting in the seventh minute, but made no mistake when he rose unchallenged to power in a header.
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Gor Mahia, unbeaten in the domestic league, started the match brightly and caught the Zanzibaris off guard when Olunga sprinted with the ball on the left before feeding Meddie Kagere to easily tap in for the opening goal.
Striker Olunga, who was excellent throughout the afternoon, ensured KMKM defenders were busy all day.
KMKM, however, clawed their way back and should have taken the lead on 44 minutes when Juma Mbwana broke through but could not beat Oluoch, who did well to flap at the striker's feet for the ball.
Gor Mahia produced a spell of early pressure in the second half with KMKM defenders working extra time to contain the marauding strikers.
Coach Frank Nuttal shook up his side bringing in Agwanda for Godfrey Walusimbi as KMKM tactician Ali Bushiri benched Nassor Omar and Faki Sharif for Haji Simba and Maulid Ibrahim
It, however, took 25 minutes after the break for K'Ogalo to have a breakthrough when Olunga headed home Agwanda's throw-in from inside the six-yard box.
Olunga was not done as he continued to cause more problems for KMKM defenders and goalkeeper Nassor Abdulla.
Nine minutes from full time, the red-hot forward controlled Agwanda's throw in inside the six-yard box before squeezing in to end the match as a contest and cap a Man-of-the-Match performance in style.
Coach Nuttal said he was satisfied with his players' performance and was looking forward to winning the remaining two preliminary matches.
Coach Bushiri said they made many mistakes, which cost them the match. "Gor Mahia were superior but will be ready for our next match," said Bushiri.