Friday July 31, 2015
Khartoum (Sudan) vs Gor Mahia FC (Kenya) – National stadium, Dar es Salaam at 1.30pm
Gor Mahia last reached the semi-finals of the CECAFA Kagame Cup in 1996 but were beaten by Simba while Khartoum had never reached this far with their debut in 2003 seeing them exit the tourney at the group phase.
Nevertheless, Gor Mahia has won five championships with their latest coming in 1985 when they beat rivals AFC Leopards 2-0 in Khartoum, Sudan.
The Khartoum National side are searching for their maiden regional title but that will count for less when the two sides meet in the first of this year’s semi-finals.
The two giants face off at National Stadium, Dar es Salaam on Friday with eyes on the finals. Coach Frank Nuttal is well aware of the kind of opposition he is facing and had this to say after their 1-1 draw with the side in the group stages.
We were fortunate not to lose. Khartoum were the better side on the day but my boys showed character.
Ahead of this fixture, the Scot has warned his charges and urged them to improve.
In every game we play, we are looking at improving from the previous performance and it will be same against Khartoum.
His counterpart, Kwesi Appiah who is making his debut in the tournament said;
We shall give it our best against Gor Mahia. I think we did better against them in the group stages but this is a different stage.
How they reached the last four?
K’Ogalo stunned home side Yanga with a 2-1 defeat on day one before winning 3-1 against KMKM and then drew 1-1 with Khartoum.
In their fourth and last group game, they beat Telecom 3-1 to qualify from group A as leaders with 10 points.
In the quarter finals, they edged Malakia 2-1 and now Khartoum stands in their way. On the other hand, Khartoum opened their account with a 5-0 demolition of Telecom, then beat KMKM 2-1, drew 1-1 with Gor Mahia before losing 1-0 in their last group fixture against Yanga.
Key Players: Michael Olunga has been a menace to defenders in the competition and will be expected to lead the hunt for goals for K’Ogalo alongside Meddie Kagere who is yet to replicate his KPL form.
In midfield, Collins Okoth and Aucho Khalid will be tasked with intercepting Khartoum inter-passing game while Haroun Shakava and Musa Muhammad must be at their best at the back.
Karim Nigiziyimana and Abouba Sibomana will be tasked with both defending but also provide a lot going forward.
For Khartoum, you don’t look beyond their Cameroonian import Ousmalia Baba and Atif Khalid, the duo have been impressive for Kwesi Appiah’s side.
Add them to Kenyan import Teddy Akumu formerly at K’Ogalo in the middle and then Omer Ali in defence and Khartoum. A win for Gor Mahia will see them reach their seventh finals in history of the competition.
