McKinstry discusses Gor Mahia 19-match streak ending in Kenya Police defeat

Gor Mahia head coach Johnathan McKinstry

FKFPL McKinstry discusses Gor Mahia 19-match streak ending in Kenya Police defeat

Mark Kinyanjui 13:32 - 04.02.2024

McKinstry has admitted Kenya Police deserved all the three points against his charges in the 'Sirkal vs Serikali' clash on Saturday.

Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry has revealed that his charges were simply “not good enough” in the second half of their 3-1 loss to Kenya Police at the Police Sacco Stadium on Saturday.

Austin Odhiambo scored the opening goal for K’Ogalo, but Kenneth Muguna scored the leveler before Tito Okello (both former Gor Mahia players) scored a brace to inspire the side to make a dramatic comeback and grab all three points to put them third on 33 points.

Speaking after the match, McKinstry has admitted his side were second best particularly in the last half even though he feels they were denied a penalty after Sharrif Musa was impeded in the opening minutes of the game.

“It was actually quite an even game in the first half. We went in 1-0, we took our chance, you know, Kevin Omondi had just one save to make in the first half,” McKinstry said.

“I thought it was an even game. Both teams had equal moments of dominance. I thought we used the ball reasonably well in the first half.

“I would like to see a replay later on of the tackle on Sharrif Musa. We thought it was a penalty from where we are but the referee said there is not enough contact or he has not got a clean view of it so he cannot give it.”

McKinstry has torn into his charges, particularly the midfield featuring Earnest Wendo, Alpha Onyango and Odhiambo for not being brave enough with the ball.

“In the second half, we just did not use the ball well enough. We were playing alot of long balls which I didn’t like.

“The guys in the midfield, I don’t know if there was a lot of fatigue setting in. There was a lot of not wanting to get on the ball. “

The Northern Irishman has praised his counterpart,Salim Babu for forcing Gor Mahia into positions they did not want to be in.

“Part of it is our mindset of how we wanted to use the ball. We were not demanding the ball in midfield, but you also have to give the ball to Police and coach Salim for forcing us into spaces we did not want to be.”

Benson Omala was isolated all game and did not really do much to influence the game as Police did a good job to ensure supply lines to him were cut by giving Gor Mahia time and space on the ball.

“We were sort of trying to reach our forwards with longer, straight passes which made it difficult for Benson, made it difficult for the wingers.

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“We just were not good enough in the second half and Police have scored. The third goal, we were pushing for the win.

“2-1, 3-1, what difference does it make? The second goal, little bit frustrating as it was scored from the near post and the first goal, we just need to cover it better. Our winger needs to be coming on the blind side (and help defend it better).”

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