Why it will be an uphill task for Gor and Police in Cairo
Football
By
Ochieng Oyugi
| Sep 17, 2024
Kenyan teams did not give good accounts of themselves against Egyptian opponents in the first legs of the CAF tournaments staged at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi at the weekend.
Kenya Police went down 1-0 against defending champions Zamalek SC in the Confederation Cup while Kenya's record league champions Gor Mahia were thrashed 3-0 by defending champions Al Ahly SC in the Champions League battle.
The Kenyan sides will need more than a miracle to overturn the deficits in Cairo later this week, going by Kenyan clubs' away history in the Egypt capital.
Police, who tackle Zamalek this Friday, need to work on their finishing power. Their execution upfront was weak in the opening fixture, managing only feeble shots that failed to challenge Zamalek custodian Mohamed Sobhy.
Police need to start the game strong and end it with a similar note. The law enforcers should make best use of their flanks, a tactic that Zamalek utilised to subdue them at Nyayo.
READ MORE
Metropol, KBA to boost women led businesses
TECNO to launch SPARK 40 series as first smartphone powered by Helio G200 chipset
Unlocking Africa's potential: The promise of blended finance
IGAD rallies African unity at AU mid-year summit, champions Agenda 2063 vision
Cybervergent listed among 2025 WEF technology pioneers
Tax collections rise to Sh 2.571 trillion as KRA exceeds target
State to quantify economic value of natural resources
State backs tourism sector players' recovery efforts
Multinational tea firms to establish Sh1b welfare fund for residents
Mexico barred from sending cattle to US over flesh-eating pest
Some fouls too, like the one committed by Abud Omar, are very unnecessary at the continental level and this is what Zamalek capitalised on to finish the game.
It is also evident that new import Jesse Were is yet to gel with the rest of the Police squad and so its up to head coach Anthony Kimani to ensure the prolific goal-poacher gets his groove by aligning him with other players in training this week.
Were had good open chances but his anticipation and finishing was futile, clearly showing a lack of coordination by Kimani's charges.
Despite their shortcomings, Police had good set pieces and won more long balls compared to their opponents.
Police, who are making their debut in the African showpiece, should take the tournament as a learning curve to do even better in the sport.
Unlike the Police, Gor were brave in their start, sending Al Ahly in circles. The hosts had well laid and crisp passes in the opening seven minutes before they were distracted by the questionable fouls awarded to the opponents.
Gor had good shots which could have given them a big boost in the match had they been executed well in the directed target.
Their 12th man also worked round the clock to give them the push that was needed in the game.
But Gor lost the encounter due to little mistakes here and there that head coach Leonardo Neiva has promised to rectify before their departure to Cairo.
"I was happy with our first half show, but we relaxed. We are to be blamed for some simple mistakes that saw us get punished.
"We now have to change tact in Cairo, but the away game won't be easy, nonetheless we will take everything as a learning lesson," Neiva said.