On 19th August 2018, coach Roberto Oliveira led his team then, Rayon Sports, to a shocking 2-1 win over Gor Mahia at Kasarani Stadium in a CAF Confederations Cup Group D match. Shocking because, prior to this game, Gor Mahia was enjoying a rich vein of form both at the local front and in the continental showpiece.
We were still unbeaten in the group, having drawn with both Rayon Sports and Algerian giants- USM Algiers- and dispatched Tanzania’s Yanga SC in style both home and away. We were top of the table in the group and every bookmaker’s bet was on us making it to the quarter finals. Reports of trouble at Rayon’f s camp only served to spice up things towards the seemingly assured victory.
Things would however take an unexpected turn under the MISC floodlights when Rayon Sports, led by coach Oliveira, pulled the shock to of match Day 5 to run away with the win. It meant that we now faced the daunting task of getting a result in Algiers if we were to qualify for the knock out phase. We predictably failed in that quest.
Two years later, the man who was on the touchline for the Rwandesen side that evening, is now in charge of Gor Mahia. Having rubbed ‘juogi’ (K’ogalo’s spirit) the wrong way, the Brazilian tactician has the perfect chance to make things right.’
What better way to do it than lead us closer to continental glory? I believe he has the right profile and experience to lead us to a maiden appearance in the CAF Champions League Group Stage. I believe we have signed well and with his experience, this could be that year that we make our mark on Premier continental competition – I’m sure ‘juogi’ will not mind this type of appeasement.
In other news, Football Kenya Federation Premier League fixtures are out and our first five games are mouthwatering. In the spirit of One Game at a Time (OGAT), I only have one request to the players and Technical Bench for now, can we serve Tusker another HIGH FIVE like last season’s opener?
