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Gor Mahia 1-2 CR Belouizdad: Disjointed K’Ogalo subdued at Nyayo
The Kenyan giants have now bowed out of the competition in a sorry fashion after conceding eight goals in total and scoring just once
Kenya’s Caf Champions League representatives Gor Mahia have crashed out of the competition after going down 2-1 against CR Belouizdad at Nyayo Stadium on Wednesday.
Jules Ulimwengu scored K’Ogalo’s opener while Amir Sayoud and Abdelkader Belharane found the back of the net to complete an 8-1 aggregate win for the Algerian Premier League side.
Ulimwengu, who is fast establishing himself as a dependable striker at Gor Mahia, broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute as he awarded the hosts with an opener.
Gor Mahia started the match looking a more determined side than in the first leg, backed-up by of a handful fans on the stands, and the Ulimwengu goal served to make them even more hopeful of an unlikely turnaround.
A case of few and missed chances became the order for most of the first half as Gor Mahia headed back into the tunnel clutching onto a 1-0 lead.
In the second half, the visitors ventured forward more than in the first half and ended up restricting Gor Mahia in their own area. Belouizdad’s hard work was rewarded in the 79th minute when Sayoud scored the equaliser.
It took the visitors a few minutes to all but bury Gor Mahia’s hopes of a win on the day when Belharane added the second goal in the 84th minute.
In the last 10 minutes, the Green Army visibly struggled to contain Belouizdad as they were outwitted in all fronts and struggled even to knit a few passes together amongst themselves.
The Algerian outfit has now progressed to the exclusive group stage courtesy of other goals that were scored by Amir Sayoud, who earned a hat-trick, Hamza Bellahouel, Larbi Tabti, and Maecky Ngombo in the first leg.
As was the case last season, the Green Army will now drop into the Confederation Cup and try to have a successful campaign in Africa’s second-tier competition.
Although Gor Mahia have been Kenya’s regular representatives in the continental club competitions, the performances against their African peers have been unconvincing.
Their struggle has often been related to financial issues which have led to go-slows by players, especially just before such decisive clashes, whether at home or away.
They will need to sort out coaching issues as well before they start the Confederation Cup campaign.
It is understood Sammy Omollo, the man who oversaw their Champions League matches against APR and CR Belouizdad, is close to signing a contract to take full responsibility of the local heavyweights.
