Both Gor Mahia and Tusker were bundled out of the CAF Confederation Cup and we will have to go another season without a representative in CAF Club competitions.Of the two, Tusker had a shot at both the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup but ended up with nothing. Tsiro!K’Ogalo were seeking to make a return to the group stages having done so in 2018, a historic achievement as it was the first time a Kenya club was making it that far.The best spectacle for Gor Mahia, perhaps, was the return of the fans but what other aspects stood out for the two teams in the playoff round?Gor Mahia’s smooth travelWas that Gor Mahia, really? Travelling without issues?Doesn’t Juogi thrive in chaos? Never mind, that was commendable for the record Kenyan champions.Once again Gor Mahia have traveled without any hitch. Illuminati. https://t.co/uIBfzrva36— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) November 26, 2021 K’Ogalo travelled to Brazaville without much hullabaloo, with no negative energy at all. Even when some of their players were detained in Congo, they did their best to ensure their well-being with the affected players, acknowledging that the team was very supportive during their days of doom.Kongole K’Ogalo. It can only get better.Unutilized home advantageGor Mahia’s 1-0 triumph at home against Supersport United in 2018 played a big role in the team’s progression to the group stages three years ago. despite losing 2-1 in the return match in South Africa, they still sailed through thanks to the away goal and a clean record at home.Both Gor Mahia and Tusker failed to utilize their home advantage to the maximum.Well, Tusker tried in the initial round in the CAF Champions League qualifier against Djibouti’s Arta Solar 7 but the same cannot be said in their subsequent two games.That was a really poor showing from Gor Mahia yesterday. I haven’t watched such a dull football match in a long while. The team has really regressed in the past few years. Only one or two quality players on the pitch— Fadhela (@Blacklebo) December 6, 2021 As a matter of fact, against CS Sfaxien, Tusker had a better showing in Tunisia than they did in Nairobi a week earlier.K’Ogalo had the support of the 12th man but they still were outwitted by the Brazaville side, at home, conceding first but hitting back immediately for the equalizer.Conceding at home meant Gor Mahia had to score more goals, making the hard task at hand harder.StadiumsTo some extent, low-key, exit from continental football for the two Kenyan clubs came as a reprieve.Why? You might ask. Stadiums. Stadiums. Stadiums.FT. CS Sfaxien 1 – 0 Tusker (Agg 1-0)Both Tusker and Gor Mahia have been eliminated out of CAF Confederation cup this season! Wah eti Kenya hakuna nini? #TotalEnergiesCAFCC #WalkWithSagini pic.twitter.com/4KdwCU5F4S— JASON SAGINI🇰🇪(The Sports Archbishop) (@Jason_Sagini) December 5, 2021 Before the playoffs, Nyayo Stadium had been put on red alert and prohibited from hosting CAF matches for failing to meet the requirements. However, the two teams petitioned CAF and were allowed to use it albeit temporarily.If the teams proceeded and Nyayo was not approved, a headache would have befallen the teams on where to stage their matches, with Tanzania being the most likely option which would come with added travel and accommodation costs for the clubs.BroadcastIt was all mellow when Gor Mahia announced that their match against AS Otôho d’Oyo would be beamed live on the new Dholuo TV station.Hype kaliech, quality kapuoyo! To say the least, the quality of the production for the Gor Mahia game was an eyesore. It was a good thing that they attempted to have the match available on television but they should have checked on the quality of the pictures as well.For Tusker, it was a different case. In their home match, it was shocking that CS Sfaxien was the team that aired the match played at Nairobi on their YouTube page, capped with Arabic content and anyone watching the match online had to listen to reggae music, or their favourite music, as the game proceeded. Or better, learn Arabic.I’v never understood how clubs like Tusker and Gor Mahia can’t employ proper videographers for their games. I mean we are currently watching Tusker through an opponent lens. They are doing it in this country.— Zachary Oguda (@zaxoguda) November 28, 2021 Tusker could have done better to have considering the exemplary work they have been doing with their digital team.Not to take it away from them, Tusker were perfect with their team updates in both legs and more so in the away game where they gave detailed updates unlike Gor who only hit us with the minute and score, and nothing else during the game. Well doneSafe waiting for the 2022/23 campaign.
