Gor Mahia Go Down To Berkane In CAF Confed Cup Quarters First Leg

NAIROBI, Kenya- Record Kenyan league winners Gor Mahia FC suffered a 2-0 loss to Moroccan cup holders RS Berkane in the first leg of their CAF Confederations Cup quarterfinal at the Kasarani Stadium.

The SportPesa Premier League (SPL) champions made history, as they became the first Kenyan club to compete at this stage of the continental competition after finishing second in Group D.

Gor came into the encounter with five of their regulars missing due to suspensions in the course of the competition.

Reliable Rwandese forward Jacques Tuyisenge, skipper Harun Shakava, Ugandan defender Shafiq Batambuze and Ernest Wendo.

Turkish coach Hassan Oktay reshuffled the squad handing Geoffrey Ochieng his debut in the competition and record Kenyan goal scorer Dennis Oliech a pivotal role up front.

Gor Mahia looked to be going for an early goal, enjoying the early exchanges of possession until the sixth minute when Boniface Oluoch’s shot was deflected for the first corner of the game.

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Kenyan international Francis Kahata then found Oliech with a delightful pass in the 10th, which the latter brought down well but Berkane were alert to clear the danger.

The Moroccans got their first sight at goal in the 17th but El Hadji was ruled offside.

Fredrick Odhiambo was tested for the first time five minutes later and he made a great save to keep the scores level at 0-0.

Issoufo Dayo gave the visitors the lead in the 25th minute before he went down with a knock, forcing the medics to attend to him.

The setback seemed to breathe new life into the record domestic league winners who then came close through a Kahata shot that was tipped over the bar in the 29th.

A minute later, Omondi came agonizingly close to the equalizer but his right footed effort came off the woodwork as the Kenyans continued to press.

In the 32nd, Charles Momanyi was next with a chance for Gor as his header troubled the keeper who could only punch it out for a corner.

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The visitors almost doubled their advantage in the 36th with a good header but it went inches over Odhiambo’s goal as they looked to hold on to the lead until the break.

Omondi was the most threatening Gor player and he embarked on a great run down the left flank and skipped past two defenders before his shot rolled out for a goal kick.

The second half began with a yellow card for Kenneth Muguna for foul language as Gor picked up from where they left off, in search of the elusive equalizing goal.

In the 55th, it was Omondi again with an effort that went inches wide after he was set up by Lawrence Juma.

No sooner had Francis Mustapha made way for Nicholas Kipkirui than El Halil pounced to slot past Odhiambo in the Gor goal to doube their advantage.

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Omondi and Oliech were substituted successively for Samuel Onyango and Ugandan striker Erisa Ssekisambu as they desperately sought to get a way back into the game.

A Francis Kahata free kick was the only sight at goal Gor had for the rest of the game as it was just not their day as they fell 2-0 to the visitors.

The second leg will be played next Sunday, April 14.