Omollo confident Gor will overcome APR in return leg
Gor Mahia’s interim coach Sammy “Pamzo” Omollo is unfazed with the team’s 2-1 lose to Rwanda’s APR in the first leg of preliminary CAF Champions match League in Kigali on Saturday.
Omollo, who was temporarily drafted to replace Oliviera Goncalves who was disqualified by Confederation of African Football (CAF) over lack of requisite papers, said there is still room for improvement for the Kenyan champions to advance to the next stage,
“Despite losing, we are happy with what we did in a very tough away match and hopefully, we should be able to cross the hurdle in the decider in Nairobi to proceed to the next stage,’’ said the respected tactician.
Omollo,who is a Posta Rangers tactician, reckoned that it was just a stroke of ill luck that Gor lost to the Rwandan military side.
“We outmuscled them in the first half exchanges and especially in the midfield department and would have settled for a draw at the worst were it not for the own goal we conceded.
But trust me, it will be a different result altogether in the return match in Nairobi,” said Omollo who lauded his charges for netting a vital away goal.
Team captain Kenneth Muguna also pointed out that qualification to the next stage is possible.
“ This is far from a horror show and I’m sure fans will be happy with our input in the return match in Nairobi,’’ offered Muguna who was among the stand-out Gor players in the match.
Gor will only need a 1-0 win the return match in Nairobi next Saturday to proceed to the next stage on the strength of the away goal which shall count double in the eventuality.
During the match held under sweltering conditions in Kigali, APR started the match well dominating possession and were duly rewarded in the ninth minute when midfielder Olivier Niyonzima put the hosts ahead after a well taken free kick by Djabel Manishimwe.
A rejuvenated Gor Mahia equalized in the 27th minute through Muguna’s free kick after an error from APR goalkeeper Omar Rwabugiri.
The first half of the highly physical match ended with the sides tied 1-1.
APR, the 2019/20 Rwanda Premier League champions, will be going into the return leg confident of eliminating Gor who almost failed to show up for the match in Kigali due to financial difficulties.
