Gor Mahia 1-1 Al Khartoum: Eric Ochieng on target as K'Ogalo reach quarters

IN DAR ES SALAAM

A share of spoils was the outcome of a pulsating match between local champions Gor Mahia and Al Khartoum as the Cecafa Club championships entered day seven here at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Ousmaila Baba scored an early goal for the Kwesi Appiah-coached side, but Eric Ochieng, who had earned a rare starting role in Frank Nuttall’s squad, levelled matters shortly before the end of the first-half to complete the 1-1 stalemate score.

“We underperformed. We had prepared very well but we were unlucky to concede in the first 10 minutes. I noted that the coach (Appiah) changed a few players and the new ones wanted to prove that they were of high quality.

“Generally, the opponents were hungrier for the three points and I am hoping for an improved performance in our next match,” Nuttall said after the match.

For the match, Appiah opted to start without former K’Ogalo midfielder Anthony Akumu but Khartoum coped well and presented a physical game against the Kenyan team. Nuttall was however forced by injury to do without utility player Godfrey Walusimbi, who picked up a knock in their last match against KMKM. Ronald Omino returned to the bench as midfielder Innocent Wafula returned to the starting line-up.

OLUNGA WATCHED CLOSELY

Young striking sensation Michael Olunga and his counterpart Meddie Kagere were closely watched by the Sudanese defenders. Just like in their opening encounter against Yanga, K’Ogalo capitulated in the opening ten minutes of the match when early when Baba capitalised on a moment of defensive ineptitude from Harun Shakava and sent the ball past the outdrawn goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch.

Olunga squandered a glorious chance in the 17th minute when he was picked out by a cross from Wafula, but his feeble tap sent the ball off target. He was at it again in the 31st minute when he broke into a fine run, but he chose not to release the ball and was easily dispossessed by Khartoum defender Samawal Merghani.

Ochieng however saved the day for K’Ogalo in the 41st minute when he leapt forward to meet a delivery by midfielder Khalid Aucho which he headed home for the equaliser.

After the restart, Appiah hauled off Mohammed Al Elyateb and summoned the fresh legs of Akumu to neutralise Collins Okoth who had stepped into the K’Ogalo midfield area for Ali Abondo.

The Sudanese side threatened to regain the lead and Atif Khalid repeatedly tested Oluoch, but the alert goalkeeper repelled them with occasional help from defenders Musa Mohammed and Shakava.

In the next match played at the same venue, Zanzibari side KMKM (Kikosi cha Kuangamiza Magendo) were tossed out of the running for the quarterfinals after recording a 2-0 loss to Yanga.

Malimi Busungu scored for Yanga in the 57th minute, and second half substitute Amis Tambwe put the game beyond KMKM’s reach with a nice goal scored in the 72nd minute.

Yanga will face Al Khartoum in their final group stage clash on Sunday, while K’Ogalo will wrap up their group sojourn with a match against Djibouti Telecom, who are winless in this tournament so far.