Mathare United head coach reveals tactical approach that troubled Gor Mahia
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 01.03.26. | 18:00
K’Ogalo moved closer to what would be their 22nd league title after the hard fought win
Despite securing a 2-1 victory over Mathare United, Gor Mahia found it difficult to break the 2008 FKF Premier League champions with assistant coach Kobi-Mensah describing the match as ‘one of the most difficult’ the team has faced this season.
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However, goals from Ebenezer Assifuah and an 88th minute penalty by Enock Morrison on either side of a Dennis Okoth strike were enough to secure three points for K’Ogalo in the Saturday 28 February clash played at Nyayo National Stadium.
Speaking to the press after the match, Mathare United head coach John Kamau disclosed the tactical deployment that frustrated the Kenyan giants.
“We analyzed how they played against KCB and in their three previous matches and realized that if you give Morrison (Enock) space, he will kill you with his clever balls or his ability to score,” said Kamau.
“We realized that they play with double pivots of Alpha (Onyango) and Morrison and so we organized our three number 10s to shut them from side to side and so when they had the ball in midfield, it was easier for us because we had three against two making it difficult for them to build through the middle,” he added.
The Slum Boys deployed Elly Asieche, Harrison Amalemba and Musa Masika to create midfield overload against Alpha and Morrison.
With Gor Mahia boasting plenty of attacking quality, the former Harambee Stars assistant coach also explained his defensive balance.
“They (Gor Mahia) have been playing with overlapping full backs leaving their wingers like Shariff to occupy the half zones and so we had to play with a double pivot of Rio (Brian Ochieng) and Brian (Ouru). It was indeed a tactical game and that is why I am happy with my boys despite the defeat,” he explained.
With the team still losing the match amidst the tactical brilliance, Kamau identified the major cause and solution for the malady.
“We have a young team that is growing day by day and we just hope that we will reduce the individual errors from which we are conceding. But again, that comes with the experience of playing any games and being in such situations.”
