Gor Mahia have been left with a mountain to climb ahead of the return leg of the CAF Confederations playoff match after losing 0-1 to Napsa Stars of Zambia on Sunday at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Daniel Odaka’s lone goal was all Napsa Stars needed to steal an important away win against Gor Mahia, in a dull CAF Confederation Cup match.
Although both sides were quite faded at least going by the standards of the continental clash, it was Gor who had more chances but ended up being punished only five minutes to regulation time.
Austin Banda cleverly dodged Andrew Juma about 30 yards into the goal and had only the keeper to beat, but could not pull the trigger before a fast Geoffrey Ochieng halted the move.
Nicholas Kipkirui’s header flew slightly over the bar having connected a Jules Ulimwengu’s cross from the right channel.
Dickson Chapa and Jacob Ngulube traded neat passes between them before the latter finally shooting narrowly off target, with Gor custodian Boniface Oluoch already off his line.
Gor had yet another chance when Clifton Miheso crossed the ball across the goal, but both Kenneth Muguna and Kipkirui failed to finish off.
In the 25th, Philemon Otieno could not guide the ball into the net having been put through by Kipkirui, before Ulimwengu wasted yet another brilliant chance shooting straight to the keeper with no one marking him.
With the first half ending without any breakthrough, both sides started the second slowly with no serious threats on either ends.
Gor Mahia coach Manuel Vaz Pinto then withdrew Kipkirui for Samuel Onyango, Ulimwengu for Titto Okello while Alpha Onyango made way for John Macharia.
More zeal was evident with the three fresh legs on the pitch, as Miheso, Samuel Onyango and Muguna all come close before the hour mark.
Consequently, Napsa coach Mohammed Fathi resulted into defensive approach, leaving only Jimmy Mukeya upfront as Gor pinned the visitors in their own half. Significantly, Macharia was key in the role, creating more chances in the Napsa’s goal.
And it was the overzealous approach to look for at least a home goal that would punish K’Ogalo, Napsa exploiting the few numbers on their backline.
With only five minutes on the clock, Adoko capitalised on Geoffrey Ochieng’s blunder to beat a diving Oluoch with an excellent 20 yards screamer for the only goal.
More to follow…
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