Kenya’s representatives in continental soccer Tusker F.C and
Gor Mahia F.C both started their campaigns on the wrong foot as both teams were
humbled in their fixtures home and away respectively. First was Gor Mahia who
travelled to Egypt to meet ENNPI of Egypt in the Confederations cup first round,
their outing ended up uneventfully as they were walloped by their opponents 3
goals to nil. This match was played behind closed doors.
Their coach however sounded that the ‘Green Army’ as they are popularly known would turnaround that score line in their return fixture at the Nyayo National Stadium. This however seems a tall order as most Kenyan teams have fared poorly against their Egyptian opponents at the continental stage. He also lamented on poor finishing, which had cost them the vital away goal, since his marksmen were not able to convert the numerous chances they created in Egypt.
Gor coach, Zradvco Logarucic attributed the poor performance to poor preparations, claiming that his team were not sure of making the trip due to lack of funds, he reiterated that his team would be ready for the 2nd round fixture in a fortnight. This was however not convincing bearing in mind that the same team was mauled by APR of Rwanda in 2009 when they represented the country at the continental arena.
Hope is not however lost for the Green army, being a community club with unrivalled following, they promise to give a fight of their life before their ever demanding fans in the return fixture. So as to break this Egyptian duck by Kenyan teams.
The 2012 KPL champions Tusker hosted African power house Al Ahly of Egypt at the Nyayo national stadium, in a match graced by the country’s Prime Minister and a sizeable crowd. The home team got off to a bright start which was however characterized by poor finishing and were made to pay earlier in the 2nd half. Two goals by substitute, Ahmed Shokry gave the visitors a 2-0 lead before Jesse Were pulled 1 goal for the hosts.
This was a match of clear wasted chance by the home team and head coach Robert Matano later admitted it would be a tall order to score 2 clear goals to overturn the result in Egypt. However, their captain Shikokoti was optimistic, saying that they had 90 minutes to redeem themselves.
The nation will be keen on the return fixtures, especially bearing in mind how starved they are of continental fixtures, bearing in mind that the national team too..The Harambee Stars have continued to underperform due to poor preparations and too much politicking in the football administration.
Focus now shifts to the KPL,as the two teams prepare for the
return fixture in a fortnights time.
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