Gor Mahia coach blames Mombasa heat and poor pitch for failing to beat Bandari
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 13.12.25. | 19:33
K’Ogalo were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw after Bandari came from behind in an FKF Premier League match staged at Mbaraki Sports Club on Friday
Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor has blamed the poor state of Mbaraki Sports Club's playing surface and the sweltering Mombasa heat for his side’s failure to collect maximum points against Bandari FC.
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K’Ogalo were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw after the Dockers came from behind in an FKF Premier League match staged at Mbaraki Sports Club on Friday.
The record league champions were keen to bounce back from their Mashemeji Derby disappointment against AFC Leopards and sought redemption against the Dockers, who are experiencing a coaching carousel in the ongoing league campaign.
Adukwaw Ebeneza fired Gor Mahia into the lead on the half-hour mark, but Bandari substitute Geoffrey Ojunga struck a towering second-half header to rescue a point for the hosts.
The result means Gor Mahia have now gone three consecutive matches without a win in the country’s top-flight.
Speaking after the match, the Ghanaian tactician said the condition of the pitch forced his side to alter their usual playing style, insisting the surface disrupted their rhythm.
“We couldn’t play our normal game because of the field, so we went for a medium press. It earned us a goal, and we had good moments, especially after the break, but we didn’t take our chances.
In the second half, we went down obviously because of the weather, the sun, we got tired, the energy we went with in the first half went down, but we had clear-cut chances, and we didn't use them,” Akonnor said.
The draw keeps K’Ogalo second on the league standings with 20 points, a position they hold due to a superior goal difference.
Bandari interim head coach Razak Siwa, meanwhile, lauded his players for their resilience and fighting spirit.
“We played well in a tough match. The boys gave everything, and this is a positive step towards reclaiming our identity,” Siwa said
