I Am Proud Not Pleased! Oktay Says After Slim Gor Mahia Victory

NAIROBI, Kenya- Gor Mahia FC coach Hassan Oktay admitted to being proud of his players but still not pleased despite a good show to silence Sofapaka FC 1-0 at the Afraha Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Sammy Onyango was the hero on the day with a 24th minute goal, after fantastic build up play by the record league champions, to move them up to third on the log with 25 points.

Gor still have two games in hand and are only three points behind leaders Bandari FC, who were also victorious on the weekend, edging Kariobangi Sharks FC 1-0 in a repeat of the 2019 SportPesa Cup final.

Oktay and his charges were returning to domestic top flight action having just come back from Angola where they lost 2-1 to Petro Atletico in their second CAF Confederations Cup Group D clash that left them second in the standings with three points.

Boniface Omondi who seems to have made a name for himself in the K’Ogalo starting line-up and his namesake, seasoned goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch were the notable absentees as the Turkish tactician was forced to rotate his squad.

READ ALSO: Sammy Onyango The Hero As Gor Silence Sofapaka In Nakuru

“We flew to Angola for a high intensity game then we play again barely two days after coming back.

“The fixture schedule is not about to get easier and it’s very normal in football so we just have to adjust and take it one game at a time,” Oktay told SportPesa News.

Despite few instances where Sofapaka were threatening, the defending champions controlled most of the possession throughout the afternoon.

The striking partnership between Rwandese forward Jacques Tuyisenge and former Zoo Kericho FC’s Nicholas Kipkirui seems to be budding as they proved to be a constant threat to the Batoto Ba Mungu defence.

Some aggravated fans cries were answered late in the second half as Harambee Stars record goal scorer Dennis Oliech was thrown into the fray for the final ten minutes of the heated encounter.

The 34-year old could have given the afternoon a perfect ending when Ernest Wendo put him through with a delightful ball but he couldn’t keep it down and sent it flying over the bar with the last kick of the game.

“I need to protect my player, he is not fully fit from the injury he sustained a couple weeks back. We missed him in Angola but it was good to see him out there today,” Oktay said of Oliech.

Oktay, as has been heard of him in the recent past, continued to slam his players for not being able to convert the numerous chances they create in games.

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The win halted Sofapaka’s five-match winning streak in the league, with their last defeat dating back to January 5 when they lost 3-2 to Tusker FC in an enthralling affair at the Kenyatta Stadium.

 “I am proud of my players, they did not show any tiredness out there and we came out with a good result.

“First half we could have sealed the game with the four chances we created. Still not many goals being scored which is a problem but we are working on fixing that,” he stated.

“Sofapaka are a good side. They are also physical which was a tough test but the three points are important for us and now we focus on our match in midweek.

The Turkish national had no kind words for the state of the pitch and was infuriated that league games should be held at stadiums in such conditions.

“This is not an appropriate field for league games. It shouldn’t be allowed anywhere in the world to play on such a pitch,” He concluded.

Meanwhile his counterpart John Baraza, who was recently reinstated as head coach following the resignation of American-Egyptian Melis Medo, kept his head up and opted to turn his focus on the upcoming games.

“We created chances and never made use of them and eventually that cost us the game.

READ ALSO: Bandari Edge Sharks To Go Top Of SPL, Wanga Returns To Haunt Tusker

“It was evenly matched and we had to play with ten men for the last few minutes but we soldier on and prepare for our next match,” the former Kenyan international stated.

“The league is tough and it’s growing so we have to work on fixing our mistakes if we are to pose a serious challenge for the title.

Gor will be in action on Wednesday against newcomers Western Stima FC at the Kasarani Stadium whilst Sofapaka travel to Bukhungu for a clash with Kakamega Homeboyz FC on Saturday.