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The Nairobian

Oktay urges Gor Mahia to invest in technology

Football

By Rodgers Eshitemi | Mar 19, 2019

Even as Gor Mahia continue celebrating their historic Caf Confederation Cup quarterfinals qualification, head coach Hassan Oktay has challenged the club’s management to invest in modern football technology.

The record Kenyan champions achieved the feat courtesy of a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Angolan side Petro Atletico on Sunday night at Kasarani Stadium.

Gor were reduced to nine men following the sending off of holding midfielder Ernest Wendo and defender Shafiq Batambuze.

Jacques Tuyisenge’s second-half penalty kick took Gor level on points (nine) with eventual Group D winners Zamalek and secured them the elusive last eight ticket much to the delight of the Green Army.

And as Gor Mahia patiently wait for tomorrow’s quarterfinals’ draw in Cairo, Egypt, that will come with Sh35 million in prize money, their Turkish Cypriot coach says it’s now time for the Kenyan giants to invest in GPS tracker, fitness system, black box and other football technological devices.

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While the likes of Zamalek and NA Hussein Dey used different data and statistics platforms as well as videos to analyse them, Oktay banked on his friends for information on their opponents.

“These players did the impossible possible with nine men on the pitch. We need to give credit where it’s due. What they’ve achieved today as a team is fantastic and I’m really proud of them,” said Oktay, who had to watch the entire second half from the terraces after he was also sent off.

“We have to invest in football technology in this club. We need to have a GPS system, a fitness system as well as a black box to continue competing with the best in the continent. Most people are complaining that we are losing away, but the bitter truth is that when we travel I don’t know anything about our opponents.

“I had to call my friends to get information about those teams. I’ve been using my own imagination in preparing the team for these matches. All the same, I’m really proud of what my players have achieved without football technology.”

But it’s Gor Mahia’s qualification to the quarterfinals in dramatic fashion that gives Oktay a sense of pride.

“When I came, I had to change our style of football and instilled self-belief in the team. Yes, we can’t compare our financial budgets with the likes of Zamalek or Petro, but from the opening game, I knew we would come out of this group. I expected this group to go up to the last game and it’s happened. For now, we can only get better,” he said.

With the quarterfinals draw set for tomorrow, Gor Mahia are likely to be drawn either against group winners Morocco’s RS Berkane, Sudanese giants Al Hilal Club or Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien.