Gor squander chance to narrow Tusker's lead

Kenyan Premier League champions are finding it hard to score goals as the season enters the business end.

In the last five matches, Gor have won just once, dropping eight points in the process, which would have otherwise catapulted them to the summit of the log.
And the lethargic showing coupled by the lack of sharpness in front of goal is already causing disquiet among Gor fans.

Prior to Sunday’s barren draw against Bandari in Kisumu, the champions who won the league title a record 15th time last season, had also  dropped points against Sony Sugar (0-0) and Kakamega Homeboyz (1-1).

The draw against Sony draw was preceded by a 2-1 escape against Nairobi City Stars. In fact, K’Ogalo needed a stoppage-time throw from Enock Agwanda to stab home a loose ball for the winner.

Gor are now four points behind Tusker who widened the gap between them and K’Ogalo to four points, thanks to a 2-0 win over Mathare United.

So, where did it all go wrong? Former club great, Tobias “Jua Kali” Ochola, who had a distinguished career with Gor between 1986 - 1989, believes that after Gor were docked three points in the first leg for crowd trouble coupled with coach Jose Marcelo Ferreira’s indecisiveness in midfield is to blame.

BANGED GOALS

“‘The coach is not consistent with the line-up and the confidence is gone. When you play well and fail to score, it definitely has a knock-down effect. I also don’t buy the narrative that Tuyisenge (Jacques) and Kagere (Meddie) cannot play at the same time. They banged goals together at Police FC (in Rwanda) and that is a shallow school of thought,” he said.

(READ: Bandari deny Gor Mahia as Sofapaka run riot)

That pressure is mounting on Ferreira is not in doubt. On Sunday after playing Bandari, he declined to grant interviews to reporters.

Ferreira has stuck to the diamond 4-4-2 formation that has served the team well in the past three years but which perhaps needs to be changed.

The formation worked for Michael Olunga and Kagere, allowing the latter to operate from the left wing from where he would cut to the right and launch his attacks.

Presently, Tuyisenge and Kagere have been lumped together at the focal area of attack, thus jostling for limited space which is hurting them. The supply chain from the midfield has also been cut with the absence of Khalid Aucho.

Dropping the inconsistent Innocent Wafula for Baron Oketch may add some life in the wings.