Gor Mahia set up yet another AFC Leopards date

They eventually did although it is match up that nearly failed to materialise.  K’Ogalo fans’ half-hearted chants of ‘Ingwe Ingwe!’ may well have summed up an evening that Gor played second fiddle to Fred Imonje’s battling Muhoroni.

Dani Sserunkuma buried Gor’s final penalty to settle nerves in the near-capacity Tok K’Omwanda, especially after George Midenyo had smashed his spot kick against the crossbar.

Having endured some anxious moments in open play, Rama Salim set Gor Mahia on a positive note with his spot kick with Moses Odhiambo also calmly slotted, as did Yusuf Juma before Midenyo hit the bar.

Yet Muhoroni did not hold their nerve despite an immaculate start by Ibrahim Ateng. David Oriki smashed skywards, and although Gregory Nyapala tucked in his, Collins Neto also sent rocket attempt to the moon.

Coach Imonje took consolation in the manner his charges rendered Gor Mahia ineffective, saying: “We may have gone out of the Cup but the boys demonstrated they understand the way I want them to play. We made Gor Mahia work, cut out supplies to Sserunkuma and Rama. And if we can do that in the League, I see no reason we should not be there next year.”

Gor Mahia assistant coach John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla admitted they gave Muhoroni too much space.

Keep DVD

“The midfield backed off. Even an old man like me would hurt you if you give me space and time,” Ogolla said.

It was a football match not many Gor Mahia players would like to keep a DVD copy, except perhaps the coach for how not to shut down opposing sides.

Midfielders Neto, Hamisi Mwinyi and Sammy Wakhanya held their on against a Gor Mahia side that has been swashbuckling under Zdravko Logarusic.

But the manner with which K’Ogalo approached the first half left their fans bemused, but did show flashes on brilliance in a frenetic start to second half.

Logarusic rested Chris Wekesa for Yusuf Juma at the leftback and Edwin Lavatsa for injured Victor Ali. The changes breathed some life in Gor’s attack but without really troubling Joseck Gathogo in Muhoroni goal.

It was with this renewed resolve that they almost put Muhoroni to the sword on the hour only for Sserunkuma to produce perhaps the miss of the season.

Kevin Omondi waltzed into Muhoroni box and when his attempt ricocheted of a forest of legs, the ball broke to Sserunkuma only for the Ugandan danger man to smash the ball heavenwards.

Muhoroni’s Neto, however, returned the favour eight minutes later when he too jinked into the boxed to receive a weighted pass only to hoof the ball over the bar to the relief of goalkeeper Ivo Mapunda.