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Gor Mahia bundled out of continental championship

By ISAAC SWILA February 27th, 2016 2 min read

Kenyan Premier League champions, Gor Mahia, have been bundled out of the Caf Champions League at the preliminary stage following a 1-0 loss to Caisse Nationale de Prévoyance Sociale Sport (CNaPS) of Madagascar on Saturday afternoon in Mahajanga, Madagascar.

Gor bowed out of the continental championship on a 3-1 aggregate loss having been defeated 2-1 in the first leg two weeks ago in Nairobi.

Ranjala scored the all-important goal in the 24th minute to seal K’Ogalo’s fate.

This is the latest setback for K’Ogalo who are going through a rough patch at the early stage of the new season.

The team is yet to win a single match this season and having tasted defeat thrice; twice against the Malagasy champions and also against Bandari in the Dstv Super Cup.

In the league, Gor Mahia have only managed two draws in as many outings against Chemelil Sugar and Posta Rangers.

This is a far cry from the team’s performance last term when they swept all before them to claim two domestic trophies.

SELECTION CHANGES

Against CNaPS, coach Frank Nuttall made near wholesome changes, benching first choice goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch for the third game.

Oluoch’s place between the sticks went to to captain Jerim Onyango with Bernard Odhiambo, Ernest Wendo, Erick Ochieng and Ronald Omino also making the starting eleven ahead of regulars Karim Nizigiyimana and Khalid Aucho.

With Gor Mahia out of continental running, focus now shifts to GOtv Shield champion Bandari who will be up against Congolese club, St Eloi Lupopo on Sunday afternoon at the Nyayo National Stadium in the return leg of the Caf Confederations Cup.

Bandari head coach Twahir Muhiddin faces a selection headache upfront as he bids to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg.

Dan Sserunkuma, Meschack Karani, George Abege and Edwin Lavatsa are all in contention for the lead striker’s position.

Last term, Abege imposed himself as the lead attacker but with the arrival of Karani and Sserunkuma his place is no longer guaranteed.

“Everybody is available and the aim is to pick the best partnership that can get us the results,” Muhiddin said.