Oktay urges Gor Mahia fans to remain hopeful

Gor Mahia coach Hassan Oktay addresses the press after a training session at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on January 12, 2019 on the eve of the Caf Confederation Cup play-off first leg against New Stars de Douala of Cameroon. PHOTO | SILA KIPLAGAT |

What you need to know:

  • The Kenyan champions carry a slim and tricky 2-1 lead they registered in the first leg tie played at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Sunday afternoon.

  • Oktay was impressed by Charles Momanyi and Joachim Oluoch’s rare partnership at the back in the absence of regulars Harun Shakava and Joash Onyango.

  • Rwandese forward Jacques Tuyisenge, who grabbed the winner with three minutes left, has echoed the coach’s remarks urging fans to support them.

“Keep cam, we shall qualify.”

This is Gor Mahia coach Hassan Oktay message to nervous K’Ogalo fans ahead of their Caf Confederation Cup playoff reverse fixture against Cameroon’s New Stars de Douala at Omnisports Stadium in Limbe, Cameroon next Sunday.

The Kenyan champions carry a slim and tricky 2-1 lead they registered in the first leg tie played at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Sunday afternoon. They need to avoid a defeat or force a scoring draw to book a slot in the group stage whose participants pocket Sh27 million.

A section of home supporters booed the Turkish-Cypriot’s tactical substitutions minutes after the Cameroonians had cancelled Gor Mahia’s early lead. The 42-year-old tactician withdrew speedy winger Boniface Omondi, who had been a constant threat, for Samuel Onyango on 76 minutes, before pulling out a jaded Francis Mustafa for Erisa Ssekisambu and finally brought in George “Blackberry” Odhiambo for Francis Kahata.

The changes infuriated the fans who openly booed the coach and carried on the chatter on various social media platforms questioning his tactical cognizance.

 “Its good pressure from fans but sometimes you know we’ve to control what we see,” Oktay defended his changes.

“We won, it’s a good feeling, we shall fix the defence because we conceded from the set piece again.”

Oktay was impressed by Charles Momanyi and Joachim Oluoch’s rare partnership at the back in the absence of regulars Harun Shakava and Joash Onyango.

The latter two are serving suspension from the Confederation of African Football (Caf) pending their case at the Caf Disciplinary board.

“I tell you what, we shall qualify. I believe we are good enough and strong to win it. No one should worry, we shall go there and dominate the game as well, this team (New Stars) plays well away than at home,” he assured.

Rwandese forward Jacques Tuyisenge, who grabbed the winner with three minutes left, has echoed the coach’s remarks urging fans to support them.

“We must reach the group stage,” said the 27-year-old. “They scored an away goal which gives them confidence but we shall dismantle their plans by scoring early to put them under more pressure.”

K’Ogalo, who host Mount Kenya United in a rescheduled league match on Wednesday at Kasarani stadium, plan to jet off to the West African nation on Friday.