McKinstry happy with point as league rivals lose their games

• Gor were held to a draw by Homeboyz
• Both Tusker and Bandari who are second and third lost
• Gor lead the standings by eight points

Gor Mahia head coach Jonathan McKinstry says he is happy with a point after his side was held to a 0-0 draw by Kakamega Homeboyz in their pursuit of the FKF Premier League title defense. The point was still okay, especially on a weekend that both close tital rivals Tusker FC and Bandari FC lost their games.

Tusker were beaten 3-2 by Kariobangi Sharks while Bandari were beaten 1-0 by Ulinzi Stars.

“Overall I think we can be satisfied with the point especially looking at the tough conditions we had to play in and the rotation in the team as well. Of course what makes it better is that our rivals dropped points and that makes it a very important point for us,” McKinstry said.

He adds; “We have really faced difficult matches against Homeboyz and that is why we feel this is a good point. We still have a very good gap of eight points with nine matches to go but nothing is done yet. We need to keep working because this is football and anything can happen.”

Gor however will blame themselves for missing a myriad of scoring opportunities, while Homeboyz also had some few close chances at the start of the game.

“We played the league leaders and defending champions and definitely getting a point especially away from home is good for us. I feel we played well though we lost some chances but the point pushes us forward,” said Homeboyz coach Patrick Odhiambo.

McKinstry’s Gor endure slow start

Shariff Musa of Gor Mahia reacts after missing a chance.

Homeboyz had a good start to the game with some good chances, Nicholas Kipkurui almost haunting his former employers with a header off a cross that hit the crossbar.

On the other end, with coach McKinstry shouting instruction from the touchline, Gor were slowly growing into the game and had even better chances. Benson Omalla had two scoring opportunities when he was picked out by Paul Ochuoga’s deliveries from the right, but in both instances, he couldn’t direct his headers on target.

Ochuoga, who had been handed a rare start by McKinstry on the right side of defense was making a case for himself with some brilliant perfomances. Once again he created a big chance for Gor when he danced his way past his markers and laid off a beautiful square ball, but Shariff Musa could not tap on target with the goal at his mercy.

Five minutes to the break, Gor had another chances when Austin Odhiambo showed some fancy footwork to find shooting space inside the box, but his eventual effort was brilliantly saved by the keeper with the bench already up ready to celebrate.

In the second half, Homeboyz chose for a fast start just as they did in the opening half and they had a glorious chance just six minutes in.

Homeboyz miss golden chance

Action between Gor Mahia and Kakamega Homeboyz.

Estone Esiye delivered a brilliant freekick into the box but an unmarked Hillary Otieno glanced the ball inches wide.

Sensing danger, Gor put in the work and created more chances with McKinstry making some changes. Shariff was once again guilty of a good missed chance. Austin delivered a cross from the right and the winger glanced it to goal, but he was denied by the woodwork.

The defense managed to clear the mess and from the resultant corner, Omalla brushed his header just wide.

Minutes later, they went close again, this time Chris Ochieng who had come in as a second half substitute shooting wide from the edge of the area after Rodgers Ouma had miscued an earlier chance.

McKinstry’s Gor couldn’t break the deadlock despite some more effort in the final 10 minutes, as Homeboyz defended well to preserve the point on the road.