McKinstry names toughest team Gor Mahia faced in unbeaten first leg run

Gor Mahia managed to end the first leg of the 2023/24 Football Kenya Federation Premier League campaign with a record no other team in the league managed to achieve – to stay unbeaten.

In the 17 games they played, the record Kenyan champions managed 10 wins and 7 draws to avoid defeat in the opening half of the campaign as they laid a strong foundation to defending their league title and claiming a record-extending 21st crown.

All through that run, teams tried to put a dent to their amazing run but no club managed to do so with some coming close but ultimately none managing to put a blemish to their unbeaten streak.

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After the conclusion of the first leg, K’Ogalo boss Johnathan McKinstry named the team that gave them the biggest headache in their unbeaten first leg run.

“We have played 17 games so far but Posta Rangers was the toughest of them all. John Kamau has the team playing some really good football.

They are physical, direct when they need to be and can play short football in a way that is not too dissimilar to us. It is no secret why they are performing well,” the head coach told SportPesa News.

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The 20-time Kenyan champions will be seeking to maintain that run even as the second leg commences with a clash against Kariobangi Sharks on Saturday 13 January.

According to the Northern Irish tactician, fighting to end the season unbeaten like the team did back in 2015 under Frank Nuttal will be the toughest challenge yet as teams will have even extra motivation to beat them.

“Teams do not need extra motivation to up their game against Gor. They come and treat it like a cup final anyway because they want to make a big mark by getting a result against us.

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If we are then on this long unbeaten run, that even magnifies their desire to get a result because not only could they be the team that beats Gor but also they could be the ones to end that long run of over six months.

That makes it more difficult to stay unbeaten and that is why it does not happen very often,” the head coach noted.