For the third consecutive season Gor Mahia will sit out of the CAF Confederation Cup after ousted out of the tournament by Congolese (Brazzaville) outfit Otôho d’Oyo following a 1-1 draw (2-1) aggregate scoreline in a match played at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday 5 December.The Green Army came into the clash carrying a 1-0 deficit from the first leg defeat suffered in Brazzaville, a match that was marred in controversy from allegations of falsified Covid-19 results and accusations of the use of black magic from both teams.Gor Mahia head coach Mark Harrison lamented the nature in egucg the conceded the goal in the opening minutes of the game and also bemoaned the depleted squad that he had to work with.”Giving a goal in the first five minutes doesn’t help your course, we had to score two goals to win it which is always going to be a big ask as I said we are working with 16 players, two defensive midfield players, one defensive midfielder player and a young striker so it is very difficult to change it,” said Harrison.Otôho d’Oyo midfielder Cisse Mahaman commended his side’s defensive heroics as they stuck to their plan of grabbing a draw or getting a win away from home.”We know that Gor Mahia is a very good team, we are happy to be back in the group stages, we came here to win or draw, we did it and we are happy to qualify. We made a very good block and defended well,” said Cisse.K’Ogalo had to look no further for inspiration as 5th December marked 35 years since the club lifted the now infamous Mandela Cup with lines of that evening are now firmly etched into the sporting lore.Otôho d’Oyo had a blistering start to the game catching Gor Mahia flat foot with a devilish set piece inside the opening two minutes that was whipped in by Faria Ondongo and found Roland Okouri but the forward lacked direction as his effort just sailed wide off the mark as Gor Mahia fans inside the stadium breathed a sigh of relief.The chance was an advisement of things to come as the same combination birthed the opening goal 10 minutes in mirror fashion as Ondongo’s free kick was palmed to the crossbar by Gad Mathews and Okouri was on hand to tap in the ball to give Otôho d’Oyo a precious away goal.Gor Mahia responded immediately with Jules Ulimwengu delivering a low cross that was half cleared to John Macharia who fired the ball into an empty net to restore parity a minute later.As the half progressed, Otôho d’Oyo’s time wasting tactics came into play as their players went to the ground with the slightest of touches and required treatment every single time.K’Ogalo could have gone to the half time break with a lead when Samuel Onyango’s cross found Philemon Otieno in the back post but the former Ushuru FC midfielder could not guide his diving header on target as both teams went into the half time break locked in a 1-1 draw.Otôho had a mirror start to the second half as they almost regained the lead when Moïse Nkounkou’s cross evaded everyone in the box and found Massanga Matondo but his shot was deflected out for a corner.Gor Mahia pushed for a goal that would revive their hopes of getting to the Group Stages of the tournament and almost found one in the 67th minute when Nkata guided Alphonse Onyango’s cross onto the path of Ulimwengu but the Burundian lacked composure as he blazed his effort over the bar.Mark Harrison’s charges turned on the screw after the hour mark with Sydney Ochieng who had just been introduced was played in through on goal by Omalla but again calmness in front of goal was absent as another ball was ballooned over.Otôho survived Gor Mahia’s late onslaught to hold on for the 1-1 draw that sends them to the group stages of the Confederation Cup.Gor Mahia XI: Gad Mathews, Philemon Otieno, Harun Shakava, Fred Nkata, Frank Odhiambo, Ernest Wendo, Alpha Onyango (Sydney Ochieng 75′), Samuel Onyango, John Macharia, Benson Omala, Jules UlimwenguSubs: Caleb Omondi, John Nyawir, Victor Ayugi, John Ochieng.Otôho d’Oyo XI: Wilfrigon Mongondza, Bissiki Dimitri, Sakande Souleyman, Julfin Ondongo, Brel Mohendiki, Mvondo Michel, Nkounkou Moise, Massanga, Arci Biassadila, Okouri RonaldSubs: Domi Massoumou, Wilfrid Nkaya, Christ Kouvouama, Gracia Nkouka, Mahamane Cisse, Mamadou Cisse, Alou Bagayoko, Eude Mikala, Ndinga Tsatou.
