It doesn’t need to be emphasised how important home wins are in African competition, because away journeys can be ominous and unpredictable, and a home game represents the best shot at making an expected outcome happen.
Gor Mahia failed in this regard, by recording a 1-0 loss to Zambia’s Napsa Stars in the first leg of CAF Confederation Cup playoff on Sunday and have left themselves with much to do in the return leg.
The match started at a good tempo as both sides managed to create a shot on goal inside the opening five minutes.
The visitors threatened early on, as Dickson Chapa and Austin Banda flashed shots wide before Laudit Mavugo drilled a useful effort straight at Boniface Oluoch in the opening 10 minutes.
Manuel Pinto’s men, though, nearly replied with interest five minutes later, as Nicholas Kipkirui’s low strike on the angle required a fine save from the Pensioners custodian Rabson Mucheleng’anga.
At the other end, Danny Silavwe curled a free-kick on target midway through the opening stanza but Boniface Oluoch was perfectly placed to punch clear.
The Pensioners , who looked dangerous on the counter, came agonisingly close to netting minutes before the interval, but David Owino’s header clipped the top of the crossbar off a Luka Banda corner.
Daniel Adoko had the last chance of the half but his low shot on the turn was scooped up by the watchful Mucheleng’anga.
Gor Mahia were denied by the woodwork again in the 49th minute, as Kenneth Muguna’s first-time attempt rattled the upright, while Samuel Onyango later had an effort chalked out for offside.
Napsa then wasted two great opportunities in quick succession just past the hour-mark, as Amos Simwanza volleyed over from close range before Bornwell Silengo failed to connect inside the area.
After spells of frustrations, Daniel Adoko was to be rewarded for the hard work up front when he opened the scoring five minutes to the end of the match.
Gor Mahia substitute Tito Okello almost snatched a last-minute equalizer but the former Vipers star headed a Muguna’s cross against the goal-frame.
