Gor Mahia began their CAF Confederations cup campaign on the wrong footing after losing to Mozambican side Ferroviário Maputo 3-0 at the Estádio do Zimpeto on Saturday evening.
A defensive blunder by Ivan Anguyo allowed Clésio Bauque shoot the ball past keeper Jerim Onyango in the fourth minute to give Ferroviário an early lead.
Operating with only Baldin Ngwa upfront in the 4-5-1 system, Gor Mahia did more defending than attacking and the hosts took full advantage to force several corners and goal mouth melees that didn’t yield anything.
Five minutes to the break, keeper and Captain Jerim Onyango kept Gor Mahia in the game when he saved a penalty.
Striker Dan Makori was introduced in place of Ibrahim Kitawi but could do little as the referee blew the half-time whistle a minute later.
In the 58th minute Moses Otieno was unable to hold on to the ball and this allowed Ferroviário pounce through Tchitcho Nzili who fired a long range shot past keeper Onyango.
The introduction of Moses Odhiambo in place of Ali Bondo added some spice to Gor Mahia attack but not the much needed away goal.
Baldin Ngwa’s claim for a penalty late in the second period fell on the referee’s deaf ear.
Another defensive blunder by Gor Mahia allowed striker Diogo to curve the ball into the net to set up what now looks like an easy second leg encounter. The hosts even pressed for a fourth goal but the referee came to Gor Mahia’s rescue when he blew the final whistle.
Gor Mahia now need to beat Ferroviário Maputo by four clear goals during the second leg match to be played in Nairobi in a fortnight.
Gor Mahia Starting Line Up : Jerim Onyango, Yusuf Juma, Ivan Anguyo , Musa Mohamed , Antony Teddy Akumu Collins Gattuso Okoth, Moses Otieno(John Kiplagat), Kevin Ochieng,Victor Ali Abondo(Moses Odhiambo), Ibrahim Kitawi (Dan Makori ), Baldwin Ngwa
Unused Substitutes: Ivo Mapunda, Chris Wekesa, David Owino,Rama Salim
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