Gor Mahia stay alive in Africa
Gor Mahia fans in exuberant mood during their team’s Caf Champions League preliminary round tie against Madagascar’s CNaPS at Nyayo Stadium on February 14. Gor lost the return leg 3-2 on March 02, 2015 for a 3-3 aggregate score but qualified for the next round on the away goal rule. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Internationally capped striker George “Blackberry” Odhiambo – the 2010 Premier League Most Valuable Player – was K’Ogalo’s toast of the evening coming off the bench when all seemed lost to strike, deep in stoppage time and fire his side to round one.
- Odhiambo, who has been on a renaissance since Scot Frank Nuttall took over six months ago, came on with 14 minutes to go in place of January signing Ronald Omino.
- His goal added to that of in form Victor “Teargas” Abondo in the 29th minute was enough to put Gor on a collision path with Congolese side AC Leopards in round one.
Kenya’s Caf Champions League representatives Gor Mahia on Sunday survived by the skin of their teeth in Madagsacar to sail to the first round of the competition.
K’Ogalo held on in a nervy 3-2 loss to home side CNaPS in their preliminary round, second leg match at the 2,500-seater Stade Municipal de Toamasina in Miarinarivo to secure a 3-3 aggregate score and passage to the next stage on the away goal rule.
Gor Mahia won the first leg match 1-0 in Nairobi two weeks ago.
And yesterday, the Kenyan giants, held their nerves against the islanders in a cracking contest played under cloudy conditions.
Internationally capped striker George “Blackberry” Odhiambo – the 2010 Premier League Most Valuable Player – was K’Ogalo’s toast of the evening coming off the bench when all seemed lost to strike, deep in stoppage time and fire his side to round one.
Odhiambo, who has been on a renaissance since Scot Frank Nuttall took over six months ago, came on with 14 minutes to go in place of January signing Ronald Omino.
His goal added to that of in form Victor “Teargas” Abondo in the 29th minute was enough to put Gor on a collision path with Congolese side AC Leopards in round one.
It was a day that the football gods were kind to the Kenyan side after they went for the breather trailing 1-3.
Jimmy Olivier gave the home side the lead in the eighth minute. Sarivahy Jeanno restored the lead for CNaPS on 38 minutes after Abondo had struck before Ronald Menossa extended the cushion at the stroke of half time.
Since his return to Gor from Tusker, Abondo has been in rich form and his strike yesterday, extended his season’s tally to six in all competitions.
Lanky Michael Olunga also had a good chance to put his name on the score sheet but his attempt was cleared off the line in 63rd minute by the CNaPS defense.
After the match, a delighted Gor striker, Timothy Otieno, posted a selfie on internet social site Facebook. His caption read: “It wasn’t easy but we thank the almighty. We are through.”
Team mate Israel Emuge posted on the same site: “To God be the glory. Well done mates. Tough but we made it.”
Even as broke Gor Mahia celebrate reality will soon sink in as they need plenty of money to fund their campaign in the first round.
The glamour now remains Kenya’s sole representative in continental club football competition.
