Shakava: Gor Will Not Park The Bus Against Nyasa In Malawi

NAIROBI, Kenya- Gor Mahia FC captain Harun Shakava feels his side could have done better having left it so late to sink Malawian champions, Nyasa Bullets FC 1-0 in their 2019 CAF Champions League preliminary round first leg clash on Wednesday night.

While hailing the character and performance as they got off their continental charge on a winning note, the skipper however, rued the open chances they wasted in the first half as they failed to build a bigger cushion to take to the second leg on December 5. 

“It was a really tough game, we never expected it to go that way. The truth of the matter is we sweat for this victory,” a relieved Shakava told SportPesa News on Thursday.

“George, (Odhiambo), Batambuze (Shafiq), Ssekisambu (Erissa) and I could have given Gor the lead before the break but luck was not on our side.

“I think we were also affected by the injury sustained by Tuyisenge (Jacques) as he was our marksman upfront. It was unfortunate that he had to exit the game much early,” Shakava underlined.

Record signing and club top scorer for the past two seasons, Rwanda international Tuyisenge lasted only 11 minutes before hobbling off injured.

Despite the early set back and laboured victory, Shakava is delighted they started the new campaign with victory that he believes is worth celebrating.

“The match was our first competitive outing in the 2018/ 2019 season. It was significant in that it helped us to break the losing streak we had of late, especially after losing to Everton FC 4-0 away at Goodison Park in Liverpool three weeks ago,” he underscored.

Ahead of their return against Nyasa in Blantyre, Shakava revealed they will work on a plan to dismantle the 4-4-2 system used to good effect by the Malawi champions.

Nizigiyimana, Kahata rumours

“It made their defence resistant to our attack in the opening half. I think it really worked well for them and we will analyse the match video clip to know where we failed. We are going to rectify the weak areas before we depart for Malawi,” he stressed.

He assured his side would not seek to park the proverbial bus and sit on their slender lead maintaining the best way to defend is always to be on the offensive.

“We are targeting a positive result in Blantyre. A win will be great but a draw will also be welcome. Our hope is to make it to the next round of the competition,” Shakava emphasised.

The captain also addressed the fate of Burundi defender Karim Nizigiyimana and left midfielder Francis Kahata who were left out of interim head coach, Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno’s starting line-up and are rumoured to be on the Gor exit door. 

“Karim did not register for CAF (competitions) while Kahata is on trials but more on this could be clarified by club officials,” Shakava said.

USM de Loum of Cameroon or Lobi Stars of Nigeria await Gor should they complete victory on aggregate against Nyasa.

Shakava and will be next in action on Sunday when the reigning SportPesa Premier League champions and record 17-time domestic title winners lock horns with Kariobangi Sharks FC in the KPL Super Cup.

The tie has been moved back to the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani with Shakava settling last year’s domestic season curtain raiser between the league and cup winners when he netted the winner in a 1-0 victory over bitter rivals, AFC Leopards SC at the Afraha Stadium, Nakuru.