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The Nairobian

AC LEOPARDS EDGE TIMID GOR MAHIA: Coach Nuttall hopeful despite mountain to climb in Congo Brazzaville after home loss

Football

By Gilbert Wandera | Mar 15, 2015

**Gor Mahia players after they lost 1-0 to AC Leopards from Congo during their CAF Champions League First Leg round one at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday 15/03/15.PHOTO.BONIFACE OKENDO**

Gor Mahia conceded what could end up being a costly goal after they lost 1-0 to AC Leopards in the first leg of their champions league match at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday. The result has left them needing to score two goals in the return match at the end of this month - a possibility coach Frank Nuttall said is within their ability.

“We played very well in both halves as the boys showed a lot of bravery. It is unfortunate that we are never given the credit we deserve especially after such a great performance against a team of this calibre. “As far as I am concerned, we are still in the match and will try and do better in the return leg,” he told journalists afterwards.

Gor Mahia keen for an early goal at home went on the offensive right from the word go and their long balls caused problems for the visitors.

Michael Olunga was denied in the first minute by Chansel Massa in the AC Leopards goal with Gor Mahia settling for a fruitless corner instead. Six minutes later, Olunga was denied again on the near post after being picked out by Godfrey Walusimbi’s free kick.

With the home side mounting the pressure, George Odhiambo hit the wood work from the second corner kick earned by his side and the visitors looked really in trouble.
AC Leopards took time to settle, but when they did they always looked dangerous. They made their first intention at the quarter hour mark. Makese Junior won a free kick just outside the Gor Mahia goal and ‎ Tychique Ntella delivered it well but Boniface Oluoch was quick to stop the danger.

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The visitors were awarded the first corner in the 20th minute as they began to settle. However, Gor Mahia will still blame themselves for not having got something from the match by the half hour mark as Khalid Aucho blasted wide from a free kick.

Junior Makiese had the perfect opportunity to put Leopards ahead in the 28th minute. He beat an off-side trap set by the Gor Mahia defenders but still failed to score with Boniface Oluoch beaten. Oluoch then failed to hold onto a corner kick from Preston Lakoko and Querros Barbov hit the cross bar as Gor Mahia survived another scare just before the half time whistle.

On resumption, AC Leopards shocked Gor Mahia with an early goal when Ceciria Ganzbo beat Boniface Oluoch from close range to put his side ahead. The goal seemed to have taken the fight off the Kenyan champions but they still had a few chances to equalise.

George Odhiambo could have equalised at the hour mark but he blasted wide after being put through by Michael Olunga. Musa Mohammed was then cautioned for rough play. The same fate befell Timothy Otieno as Gor Mahia appeared immobilised by the goal and hardly had a scoring opportunity in a good part of the second half. Gor Mahia rested Timothy Otieno for Ali Abondo in the 75th minute to try and create some chances. ‎George Odhiambo was also rested for Ronald Omino, but nothing just seemed to work in a poor second half by the home side who must do better in a fortnight.