Wasteful Gor, Esperance draw a blank in Machakos

What you need to know:

  • The visitors came in a vastly improved side in the second half and went close to scoring the first goal when Haitheum Jounim skipped past Joachim Oluoch but scuffed his shot narrowly wide.
  • Kerr brought in Kevin Omondi for Kahata and Samuel Onyango for George Odhiambo to freshen up the attack late on but still, this didn't result to goals.

Gor Mahia on Wednesday battled to a barren draw with Tunisian giants Esperance in the first leg of their Caf Champions League first round match at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

This first leg tie at the 8,000-seater venue eventually ended goalless, with the hosts doing everything but put the ball in the back of the net.

The official match sheet during the Caf Champions League first round, first leg match between Gor Mahia and Esperance on March 7, 2018 at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

The result leaves the tie evenly poised ahead of the second leg in 10 days time with a place in the money spinning group stage of this competition at stake for the aggregate winner.

Cheered on by thousands of excited fanatics including Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa, Machakos governor Alfred Mutua and his Nyeri counterpart Mutahi Kahiga, the Kenyan champions offered the best possible advert of Kenyan football, with an attacking display with the ball and spirited fight to win back possession especially in the first half.

From left: Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga and his Machakos counterpart Alfred Mutua during the Caf Champions League first round, first leg match between Gor Mahia and Esperance on March 7, 2018 at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos. PHOTO | KANYIRI WAHITO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Gor Mahia fans send a message to their opponents during the Caf Champions League first round, first leg match between Gor Mahia and Esperance on March 7, 2018 at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos. PHOTO | KANYIRI WAHITO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Gor Mahia fans react during the Caf Champions League first round, first leg match between Gor Mahia and Esperance on March 7, 2018 at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos. PHOTO | KANYIRI WAHITO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

"I'm disappointed in them (Esperance)," Gor coach Dylan Kerr said after the game.

"They came here to get a draw and resorted to time wasting. We were unlucky not to score."

"We will go to Tunisia ready to fight and win, try to qualify. We will not be intimidated by the hostile environment awaiting us."

Rwandan forward Meddie Kagere, who was, alongside, compatriot Jacques Tuyisenge handed the striking responsibilities, fashioned the first chance of this game in the opening minutes.

Francis Kahata then brought in a cross from the right but the visitors cleared on 10 minutes. The Kenyan international then released Tuyisenge, but the Rwandan striker's powerful shot beat Esperance keeper Ben Cherafia, only to come off the woodwork on 18 minutes.

Gor Mahia's George Odhiambo (right) dribbles past Esperance's Fosseny Coulibaly during their Caf Champions League first round, first leg match on March 7, 2018 at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Kagere then benefited from a cleverly worked move down the right hand side by Kahata and Ernest Wendo, but Kagere's header was easily gathered by Cherafia.

Again, Tuyisenge came close moments later with a left footed shot that was however gathered by the alert custodian.

All this while, the red and gold, as Esperance are otherwise referred to, sat back in numbers, patiently, seemingly absorbing the pressure whilst barely crossing the half way line.

This was until the seven minutes to the break when Yessine Khenissi skipped past a couple of challenges at the left flank but then as he headed towards Boniface Oluoch's goal, he somehow stumbled following a challenge from Harun Shakava. The Tunisian's appeals for a penalty were turned down by the centre referee.

Moments before this crucial call, Joash Onyango watched haplessly as his free header from inside the area flew inches wide in another wasted opportunity for the hosts.

The visitors came in a vastly improved side in the second half and went close to scoring the first goal when Haitheum Jounim skipped past Joachim Oluoch but scuffed his shot narrowly wide.

Kerr brought in Kevin Omondi for Kahata and Samuel Onyango for George Odhiambo to freshen up the attack late on but still, this didn't result to goals.