Gor beat SA’s Supersport: Kenyan champions must avoid defeat in Pretoria to qualify to Caf group stage

CAF KNOCKOUT Gor Mahia duo of Meddie Kagere (left) and Jaques Tuyisenge celebrate their victory against SuperSports United of South Africa during CAF knockout matches at Kenyatta Stadioum in Machakos County on On Sunday, April 8, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenyan champions must avoid defeat in Pretoria to qualify to Caf group stage

Tuyisenge earn K’Ogalo slim advantage over South African opposition in Confederation Cup.

Gor Mahia earned a narrow 1-0 lead to take into the second leg of their CAF Confederations Cup play-offs against a resilient SuperSport United at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos yesterday.

After being frustrated by a hard working Matsatsantsa defence in the first half, Gor finally got the break-through in the 79th minute when Jacques Tuyisenge calmly slotted his penalty kick past goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse.

The Kenyan Premier League champions earned the penalty after South Africa defender Gomolemo Kekana handled the ball in the box while trying to intercept Meddie Kagere’s header.

“That’s an important result for us, but one nil is not enough. We need to go there (Pretoria) with positive mindset and attitude the way we did in Esperance,” said a delighted Gor coach Dylan Kerr.

“Today, the team spirit was fantastic. I expected to win with a big margin, but unfortunately we didn’t convert all of them.

“All the same, credit to the players and my technical bench for the job well-done.”

But for his South African counterpart Kaitano Tembo the game will be decided after a fortnight (April 18th).

“We played well as a team, tactically we were better than them (Gor Mahia). We kept the shape very well and created more chances than them. I’m not sure about the penalty call, but we also had a penalty shout at the death which the referee ignored,” said Tembo.

“There were a lot of decisions going in favour of the home team, but I’m happy with the performance. We’re looking forward to the second leg.”

Gor had the best chance in the 19th minute, but George Odhiambo miscued his effort from Francis Kahata’s delivery.

The hosts then earned three corners in succession, but SuperSports’ back line did well to thwart the danger.

In the 24th minute, Luke Garathle was released through the middle by Siyabonga Milapho but the latter’s attempt miserably went wide.

Moments later, Jacques Tuyisenge received a pass from the left, tricked his way into the box, but his effort was blocked for a fruitless corner before Kahata’s free kick went wide.

Boniface Oluoch easily gathered Thuso Phala’s dangerous cross from the left before both teams went to the lockers goalless.

Gor had another opportunity in the 53rd minute, but left back Wesley Onguso’s too much power on his delivery flew across face of goal before goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse pulled off a fine save to stop Odhiambo.

The South Africans responded immediately with Phala shrugging off a challenge of Philemon Otieno, but captain Harun Shakava was well-positioned to block his goal-bound shot.

Kahata then unleashed a powerful shot at the edge of the box, but Pieterse parried the attempt before reacting fast to gather the rebound.

With a quarter an hour to go, Kerr made a tactical change bringing on Bonface Omondi for George Odhiombo. His decision paid off instantly as the former Nzoia Sugar winger’s corner kick led to the penalty award.  Tuyisenge made no mistake to send the keeper the wrong way and hand Gor the vital win.

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