OSANJO: Continental fixtures show Gor squad needs beefing up

What you need to know:

  • But despite the loss, I think we need to draw so many positives from this game and build on that as we focus on the next continental fixture.
  • We must come to terms with the reality that the team needs to be boosted in most departments if we are to competitively play in the continental championships.

On Wednesday, we played in Angola against Atlético Petróleos de Luanda in a CAF Confederations Cup Group D match and lost.

But despite the loss, I think we need to draw so many positives from this game and build on that as we focus on the next continental fixture.

It should be noted here that we had a makeshift side. Nearly all departments from defence, midfield to attack had been affected by either suspension of key players, injury or illness.

In defence for instance, Joash Onyango, a natural centre back had to play in the right full back position due to the suspension of Philemon Otieno and absence of Wellington Ochieng who was ill. In the midfield, Ernest Wendo who usually covers the defensive midfield role was missing.

Lawrence Juma who had just recovered from illness was brought in and it was evident he was still not at his best.

It is in attack that we were mostly affected by the suspension of Jacques Tuyisenge and injury to Dennis Oliech.

The positives, I say, we need to draw from this game even in the absence of these key players and playing away against a well-oiled side backed by a huge crowd, we still managed to play well.

One thing is clear, if we had all our arsenal, the result would have been different.

However, the technical bench and the club scouts must now look at the frailties in some areas.

We must come to terms with the reality that the team needs to be boosted in most departments if we are to competitively play in the continental championships.

I am not ridiculing the quality of some players, but it is evident some are not good enough to play at that top level. They may be the best to play in the league, but the continental level is a different ball game altogether.

The loss to Petro Atletico is behind us now, the focus should be on the next tie against group leaders Hussein Dey who seem to be the team to beat at the moment.

I believe having all our big players, we can produce the kind of performance we exhibited against Zamalek.

It is important that this time around we reach the knock out stage of this competition. It is possible, but only if the players believe in themselves.

*****
In the true spirit of sportsmanship, former AFC Leopards and Harambee Stars key player Allan Wanga gave Gor Mahia good ideas as we prepared to take on the Angolans, a team Wanga had played for before.

There comes a time when national pride overrides petty local football rivalry and when that time came, Wanga stepped up to the plate.

Thank you sir and wish you all the best in your duties as the coach of Kakamega Homeboys.

I take this opportunity to spare a thought for the ailing legend of Kenyan football Joe Kadenge.

The great man suffered a stroke and is in hospital.

K’Ogalo corner is with the Kadenges in prayer at this time when Joe is in hospital and the family also prepares for the burial of his daughter.
Poleni the Kadenges.