It was not an explosive match, may be due to Bitams cautious
approach and this being Gor’s first competitive match since they lost to AFC
Leopards in GoTV Shield finals last year. With only history known to the two
clubs, Gor’s 1987 win of Cup Winners Cup and Bitam’s coach Oman Biyik exploits
in 1990 World Cup in Italy.
1. Gor’s 4-3-3 was 4-2-4 on the ground
On paper Bobby Williamson set out
to play a 4-3-3 formation but ended up with 4-2-4. Rama Salim set behind the
three forwards kept drifting in front to form a four man attack. Shaban Kenga,
Danny Sserunkuma, George Odhiambo and Rama are all typical forwards. What Bobby
wanted to achieve in this match is not known.
Kizito was left solo at the centre
of midfield so all the passes were looped to the attackers. With all the
forwarders on the shorter side in terms of height, Gor were losing as many
balls as they were winning. Kizito was lost, lacked speed and when he came into
play it was more on the defensive. This is one area Gor must address before
they leave for Gabon.
2. Walusimbi and Shakava
Gor went into the market and
brought in several new faces. Of all the players they brought on board, Ugandan
import Godfrey Walusimbi is a good catch. Defender Haron Chakava got more for a
debut show. He is one defender who can keep the likes of Israel Emuge on the
bench.
Walusimbi is an accomplished left
back, on the ball and going forward. He was strong defending and threatening
going forward winning several free kicks for Gor.
3. Many moles upfront
Whatever Bobby wanted to achieve
by playing four attack minded players and ignore midfield play, no one knows.
George Odhiambo and Kenga are yet to fit into the Sserunkuma and Rama flow.
With four players competing for balls with no one assigned to supply it, is
self defeating. When you put the same type of mole to dig one hole, you end up
with confusion.
There are several players to get
into the supply chain. Eric Ochieng’ or Wanyonyi would have done it in the
absence of injured Kevin Omondi.
4. Bitam Bit off their own foot
What worked for Gor is that Bitam
came for a draw. They even celebrated the 1-0 loss, as if they had scored an
away goal. With the opponent on back foot mentally, then Gor should have killed
this game at home.
When their goal keeper decide to
grab the ball out of the box and got a red card for it, things became thick for
them. All in all, it is an average club trying to cut out a place for itself in
Africa.
5. Free Kicks
It has become useless for Kenyan
clubs to win free kicks because they are executed with reckless abandon. Gor won
several free kicks and none was threatening at all. Set pieces always present a
good opportunity to win a match with a low lying fruit. This was not the case
on an evening when Gor failed to put the match beyond their opponents reach
going into the return leg.
Bitam celebrated the narrow loss.
This should tell Gor clearly that it will be a tough duel in Gabon.
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