By James Goro Oronge,
The following day was a rest day and the team was now gaining confidence after the 1st game which to us despite being underdogs, thought we could have won for the Simba SC keeper Iddy Pazzi made many acrobatic saves. The team ignored the rest day and continued planning and everyone was clearly told his mistakes.

For example, the goal that was scored could have been intercepted by Tirus Omondi the GK and the whole blame was not on Zangi alone. The strikers were also given a thorough dressing for allowing Simba defenders to prowl upfront and should have closed them down on their own half. GOR Mahia FC decided to forget the other 4 Ss of the game namely Skill, speed, stamina and strength and decided to apply one critical S that is STRATEGY.

This was later to change the K’ogalo original play which was pure entertainment to heavy defense and midfield play and a quick counter attack whose effect was to be seen in the final day.

2nd Game: Gor Mahia vs Sports – Villa SC

The Uganda team was captained by Hasule and coached by David Otti who was a former K’ogalo coach. K’ogalo once again played cautiously because of Otti factor for he had coached almost 5 players in the team and knew there style of play. The only change in the team was the resting of Adede and in came Gedion Hamisi in the inside left role (10). Hesborne Omollo to play as striker (9) and Sammy Jogoo to play at the right flank(7) for he could shoot with both legs and indeed he proved this as he scored the opener with a thunderous 20 yard shot with his right leg in the 60th minute of the game.

We were winning this one but it was not to be so for Sports Villa got a corner and the towering Hasule scored the equalizer with a header. Tirus Omondi was to blame again for not intercepting the cross. The equalizer was again at the 80th Minute as we went back to our camp with our heads down for it was now dawning on us that we were actually a good side.

In this game, i came in for the scorer Sammy Onyango at the 75th Minute but could not bring any change. Sammy Jogoo could not play another game in the tournament because the injury was discovered to be a fracture later on yet we continued massaging the injury only to open the fracture more wide open.. (may his soul rest in peace for this was one the finest football products i set eyes on and played with later). The following day was rest day and K’ogalo continued to strategise.

Please read Part 3 tomorrow which will be heavily loaded for this where K’ogalo starts winning.

N/B The writer is a former Gor Mahia legend who was in the last Kogalo team to win Cecafa Kagame Cup in 1985

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com