- Gor were eliminated by Regional League side Denmak on penalties
- They have not performed well in the Cup over the last five years
- They now hope to win the Premier League
Gor Mahia head coach Jonathan McKinstry says the team will put all their effort back into the FKF Premier League after they were eliminated from the FKF Cup by Coastal regional league side Denmak FC in Ukunda over the weekend.
K’Ogalo were beaten 5-4 on post-match penalties after a 0-0 stalemate in regulation time. Coach McKinstry says the team was dejected after the defeat, saying winning the Cup was one of their pre-season ambitions.
“We are very disappointed with the defeat. We put in lots of preparation with many friendly matches with Division One, Division Two and NSL teams with this kind of a rotated line up just to make sure that the team is ready and everyone is fit,” McKinstry said.
He adds; “The determination and desire was there and we had plenty of the ball, but we just couldn’t force it across the line and that is football. That is how it is sometimes.”
K’Ogalo plays Posta Rangers next, in a top of the table clash, a game that they need to win to ensure they remain safely ahead of the rest on top of the table. Gor are eight points ahead of Rangers in the standings and a win will extend that gap to 11. A loss will however cut down that lead to just five points.
“We have picked lots of lessons of course. We wanted to go deep into the Cup but we now have to reset and focus on the league, especially Posta Rangers in a week’s time and make sure we bring that home,” McKinstry added.
Gor outclassed by teenage keeper
Denmak FC players celebrate with their hero goalkeeper
In the match, Denmak’s teenage goalkeeper Mohamed Omar was the hero, saving two penalties, including one in sudden death. The game was forced into penalties after a barren draw in regulation time.
Omar saved from skipper Philemon Otieno in the first five, before he saved Enock Wanyama’s kick in sudden death to stun K’Ogalo, who continue struggling in the Cup.
Mwinyi Babuhija had stepped up to score the first for the home side, before Wanyama’s kick was brilliantly saved by the teenage goalkeeper, sending the packed Ukunda Showground pitch into frenzy.
In the first five, Rama Mwanzia had expertly tucked away his kick to give Denmak a good start, before Sydney Ochieng responded for Gor. Denmak’s Bakari Simba then beautifully sent Caleb Otieno the wrong way to take the home side 2-1 up and keeper Omar, nicknamed ‘Donarumma’ then saved skipper Philemon’s kick to give his side the advantage.
But, Gor second choice keeper Caleb made a save to deny Denmak’s Issa Mraja, with Chris Ochieng stepping up to level matters for Gor.
Scores tied 4-4 after first five kicks
Action between Denmak and Gor Mahia
Mwinyi Chibato and Bakari Mohamed scored the next two for Denmak with Musa Masika and Rodgers Ouma scoring the next two for the reigning league champions to tie the scores at 4-4 after the first five, to send the game to sudden death.
Denmak coach Mwinyi Muta was delighted with the victory, saying they had planned well for it and were delighted that their efforts bore fruits.
“We expected a tough game because Gor Mahia is the biggest team in Kenya. Winning against them is a big thing for us because no one expected it. People thought we would maybe concede five goals and above but we came in and showed our abilities.”
Denmak, pushed on by their home crowd at the Ukunda Showground matches K’Ogalo pound for pound, and their goalkeeper Mohamed Omar, nicknamed Donarumma, did his role saving twice from penalties.
“For us this is a big boost also in terms of confidence. We have just been promoted to the Regional League from the County level this season and to get such a win pushes us to move forward better,” noted the tactician.
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