We are still work in progress, says Gor coach McKin
Newly-hired Gor Mahia Northern Irish Head coach Jonathan McKinstry has expressed satisfaction with the progress being made by his charges during the pre-season period.
McKinstry said he was pleased with his team’s performance despite an unconvincing 1-0 win over Coast Combined in a friendly match played at Ronald Ngala Stadium.
“The team defended stoutly and the strikers were hungry for goals only that they came short of utilizing several chances that came their way. We are still work in progress and by the time the new season starts, I believe they will be sharper,” said McKinstry.
The exhibition match was organized to commission the new stadium with the game being played under the floodlights of the new stadium as fans filled the facility to the rafters.
The win ensured Gor walked home with Ksh 500,000 at the expense of Coast Combined whose players were drawn up from the inter-team competition in Mombasa.
The six teams in the tournament were from Changamwe, Jomvu, Kisauni, Likoni, Mvita and Nyali constituencies with Kisauni emerging champions and earning Ksh 250,000.
The game also marked a start to pre-season for Gor who had commenced their training at Camp Toyoyo ground in Jericho earlier in the week with a handful of their star players missing.
After dominating early proceedings, Gor took the lead in the 28th minute through Benson Omala to go into the halftime break with the advantage.
Gor made wholesome changes in the second half and dominated the closing half creating a number of numerous chances but they failed to bury the ball into the back of the net as the game ended 1-0 in favour of K’Ogalo.
The green Army’s win in the friendly came in the backdrop of having have released Congolese striker Yangayay Sando and Malian goalkeeper Adama Keita in the ongoing team restructuring.
Sando scored only a solitary goal after seven appearances in Kenya Premier League multiple champions while Adama was relegated to third-choice goalkeeper after a fall-out with head coach Andres Spiers who has since parted ways with the team on mutual consent.
K’Ogalo is currently serving a FIFA transfer suspension till 2013 and will rely on the young lads from the youth team.
