- Gor came from 2-0 down to draw with Nzoia Sugar
- McKinstry slammed their first half performance
- They play FC Talanta this weekend in Bukhungu
Jonny McKinstry has demanded improvement from Gor Mahia, as the defending champions look to end the first leg of the FKF Premier League on a high. Gor had to come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Nzoia Sugar in Homabay last weekend.
The tactician has slammed their performance, especially in the first half, as the worst they have played since he arrived at the club.
“The players know that there was some strong language used at half time. The first half was the worst since I joined the club and honestly it was pathetic. We all have to take responsibility from the coaching staff to the players,” the Irish tactician said.
“Why did we come out and play so poorly in the first half? Fair play to Nzoia because they took our chances but literally we gave it to them,” added McKinstry.
The coach said the changes they made early on stabilized the game and enabled them draw one back before halftime. He also reckons that the second half performance was better.
“We changed things quickly and when Lawrence Juma came in and had a real impact. We really pushed and had some chances. We were better but really we gave ourselves a mountain to climb through casualness and switching off,”
Can’t give opponent 2-0 headstart
Action between Gor Mahia and Nzoia Sugar FC
“We need to lo a little better because you can’t give your opponent a 2-0 headstart inside 40 minutes. Coming away with a point, we are not really pleased but when you are 2-0 down and take a 2-2 draw, you can say it was a bad day and come away with a point,” noted the coach.
Mohamed Barisa had scored a brace within half an hour to stun Gor. He broke the deadlock after nine minutes with a simple tap in unmarked at the backpost after a freekick was headed down straight the middle from the right.
He doubled his tally on the half hour mark with another easy tap in from close range. Gor’s midfielder Kevin Juma had lost the ball cheaply in the middle of the park and Nzoia immediately hit on the transition, with a cross floated from the right.
Barisa’s his initial header had come off Emery Bayisenge’s back, but the Nzoia man reacted quick to the rebound to tap home.
Gor drew one back at the stroke of halftime when Patrick Kaddu reacted quickest after the Nzoia keeper had spilled a shot. The Ugandan did the easiest of tasks, tapping the ball home.
Gor Mahia’s Omalla scores ninth of the season
Action between Gor Mahia and Nzoia Sugar FC
K’Ogalo scored the leveler in the 59th minute, Omalla scoring from the penalty spot after a handball inside the box. This was the striker’s ninth goal of the season.
McKinstry will hope for an improved performance when his side takes on FC Talanta at the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega this weekend.
“Talanta will be another difficult match. We know just how well Ken Kenyatta drills his teams and this season they have added a bit of quality as well. It will not be an easy match and we have to up our quality as well,” McKinstry said.
A win will assure them of another stay top of the pile, but a defeat might see them drop to second, if Kakamega Homeboyz win. Homeboyz, placed second on the log, play away to under pressure AFC Leopards in Nairobi.
Ingwe have had a torrid season, and only have one win in 14 matches this season. Last weekend, they suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Bidco United, their eighth loss of the season.
Against ‘Small brothers’ Homeboyz, Leopards have their work cut out with new coach Tomas Trucha under increasing pressure to change the tides of the team as they are currently just one point away from relegation.
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