Be Better And Move On! Oktay Urges Gor Mahia After Six-Goal KCB Thriller

3rd May 2019 - by Louis Kalinga

The match played at the Kenyatta Stadium on Thursday was one for the books as the newcomers scored all their three goals in a span of nine first half minutes, looking on course to complete a double over the champions

Gor Mahia FC coach Hassan Oktay sits on the technical bench in the 1-1 draw against Mathare United FC at the Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, January 6, 2019. PHOTO/DuncanSirma/SPN

SUMMARY

Gor Mahia FC coach Hassan Oktay has urged his players to focus on fixing their mistakes ahead of the upcoming games if they are to win their third successive SportPesa Premier League (SPL) trophy
Oktay was talking to SportPesa News after his side staged a remarkable comeback from 3-0 down to earn a point against a resilient Kenya Commercial Bank FC in a six-goal thriller
KCB beat Gor 1-0 in January at the same venue but their lack of concentration continued to be an issue as they surrendered the commanding lead, settling for a 3-3 draw

NAIROBI, Kenya- Gor Mahia FC coach Hassan Oktay has urged his players to focus on fixing their mistakes ahead of the upcoming games if they are to win their third successive SportPesa Premier League (SPL) trophy.

Oktay was talking to SportPesa News after his side staged a remarkable comeback from 3-0 down to earn a point against a resilient Kenya Commercial Bank FC in a six-goal thriller.

KCB beat Gor 1-0 in January at the same venue but their lack of concentration continued to be an issue as they surrendered the commanding lead, settling for a 3-3 draw.

“We made mistakes and got three goals scored against us early in the game.

“Scoring three goals is very hard and it didn’t help that we missed so many chances in the second half. We should have put six past their keeper,” the Turkish tactician offered.

Skipper Harun Shakava headed in Gor’s first before Samuel Onyango added another before halftime.

Francis Mustapha then scored the equalizing goal with literally the last kick of the game to earn the SPL league leaders a valuable point.

“It was tactical to make early changes. I wasn't impressed with how they played.

“Sempala had no urgency and he was not as instrumental in the midfield as I had hoped,” he continued to explain his decision to bring on Dennis Oliech and Boniface Omondi before the break.

“We have to learn from mistakes and move on. We have games we need to concentrate on and we have no time for slip-ups.

“We have gotten used to playing back to back games and the season is at a very crucial point. We have to win all our games,” he concluded.

The result leaves Gor sitting pretty at the top of the standings with 59 points, seven ahead of second place Sofapaka FC.

Their opponents KCB remain in 13th on the SPL table with 31 points and head coach Frank Ouna expressed his disappointment in the result after the desirable first half lead.

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“I am disappointed on two counts. Firstly, we went three nil up and that is a lead we should not be surrendering.

“The referee also added time when there shouldn't have been any, which cost us,” Ouna lamented.

“We conceded again in the last minute again which is bad. Unfortunately, it’s happened already so we pick up the pieces and move on.

KCB have managed four points against the record Kenyan league winners during their debut season in the top flight, a feat that Ouna does not take lightly at all.

“It’s not easy to get four points against a team in this league, whether Gor or any other.

“I want to congratulate the technical bench and the players for this, it’s all due to their hard work and dedication,” he concluded.

KCB host basement side Mt. Kenya United FC next week, before competing in the SportPesa Shield semifinals against holders Kariobangi Sharks FC.

Gor travel to Kisumu for back to back league games against Chemelil Sugar FC and Western Stima FC at the Moi Stadium.