Oluoch The Hero In Gor Champions League Shootout Win At Nyasa
5th December 2018
Local champions progress to the first round with nervy 4-3 win on penalties following a 1-1 draw on aggregate, fellow SPL side Kariobangi Sharks progress in the Confederations Cups by whipping Arta Solar7 3-0 in Djibouti
- Nyasa won 1-0 to force the tie to a shootout when the two-legged affair ended 1-1 on aggregate, with Oluoch stopping one spot-kick in regulation time before he saved another in the post-match exchanges
- They had a chance to kill of Gor with four to the end of the 90 when the same forward went down the box for a seemingly soft penalty but Oluoch blocked the effort
- Gor are reported to have rejected a 72-seater luxury bus offered by the opponents ahead of the game, arriving at the stadium aboard two mini buses that were facilitated by Nyasa eternal rivals, Be Forward Wonderers FC whose supporters were also present to cheer the Kenyan side
BLANTYRE, Malawi- Goal-keeper Boniface Oluoch was the hero for Gor Mahia FC when he inspired the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) winners to advance to the first round of the 2018/19 CAF Champions League with a nervy 4-3 victories on penalties over Nyasa Big Bullets FC of Malawi on Wednesday evening.
Nyasa won 1-0 to force the tie to a shootout when the two-legged affair ended 1-1 on aggregate, with Oluoch stopping one spot-kick in regulation time before he saved another in the post-match exchanges.
K'Ogalo who won the first leg 1-0 through substitute Bernard Ondiek in Nairobi will meet the winner of the tie between USM de Loum of Cameroon and Lobi Stars of Nigeria in the first round of Africa's premier club competition.
Fellow SPL side and SportPesa Shield winners, Kariobangi Sharks FC breezed to the first round of the CAF Confederations Cup when they trounced past Arta Solar7 FC 3-0 in Djibouti to complete a resounding 9-1 victory on aggregate.
George Abege, Vincent Wasambo, and Duke Abuya netted for the continental football debutants who will face off with Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko FC in the first round of the second-tier tournament.
Gor needed victory or a draw at the packed Kamuzu Stadium in order to advance while Malawian champions, Nyasa had to better their results having held on until the 94th minute at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
During the shootout, the record Kenyan title winners kept their composure in a hostile atmosphere and converted all their spot-kicks through Ondiek, Wellington Ochieng, Boniface Omondi and skipper Harun Shakava.
Nyasa replied through Chiukepo Msowoya, John Kintu and Yamikani Fodya with Oluoch stopping Miracle Gabeya’s effort.
The home side hopes of progression were boosted in the 57th minute of the encounter when Msowoya gave them the lead to level the tie 1-1.
They had a chance to kill of Gor with four to the end of the 90 when the same forward went down the box for a seemingly soft penalty but Oluoch blocked the effort.
Until the eventful second half of the contest, everything was going according to plan for interim head coach, Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Oluoch and his charges that managed to hold on to the break despite the intimidating atmosphere.
MacFallen Mgwira almost put Nyasa ahead in the 24th when he beat Gor’s defence but shot wide.
Comfortably blocked
Oluoch comfortably blocked a header from Msowoya in the 31st and this prompted catcalls from Nyasa fans that urged their side to go for the jugular.
Play was momentarily stopped down in the 37th when Gor’s left back, Shafiq Batambuze, picked an injury after he was brought down requiring lengthy treatment.
The new signing almost extended Gor’s advantage in the final minute of the opening stanza against the run of play when his ferocious free kick hit the woodwork and went wide.
Nyasa stepped up attack on resumption and their effort paid off when Msowoya volleyed them to the lead but try as they might, they could not add a second.
were missing top scorer and Rwanda international, Jacques Tuyisenge who got injured in the first leg.
Gor are reported to have rejected a 72-seater luxury bus offered by the opponents ahead of the game, arriving at the stadium aboard two mini buses that were facilitated by Nyasa eternal rivals, Be Forward Wonderers FC whose supporters were also present to cheer the Kenyan side.
Squads
Gor Mahia FC
Starting XI: 29. Boniface Oluoch 26. Philemon Otieno 6. Shafiq Batambuze, 12. Joash Onyango, 18. Haron Shakava, 20. Earnest Wendo, 3. Samuel Onyango, 30. Humphrey Mieno, 25. George Odhiambo, 23. Francis Mustafa, 22. Erisa Ssekisambu
Substitutes: 1.Frederick Odhiambo, 27. Charles Momanyi, 5. Pascal Ogweno, 17. Benard Ondiek, 10. Cercidy Okeyo, 24. Lawrence Juma, 11. Boniface Omondi
Nyasa Big Bullets FC
Starting XI: Kakhobwe; Lanjesi (C), Gabeya, Zonda, Fodya; Kayira, Kabichi, Kangunje, Mgwira, Righteous; Msowoya
Substitutes: Chiyenda, Mkandawire, Kumwenda, Maunde, Mkwate, Kondowe, Munthali