Tusker FC Head Coach Charles Okere minced no words following his side’s 1-0 SportPesa League defeat to rivals Gor Mahia at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Saturday.
The decisive moment in the fixture was a disastrous error from Tusker FC goalkeeper Brian Opondo, which Okere lamented as a “cheap goal” that should have been avoided.
The only goal of the match came when Opondo failed to control a back pass from defender Collins Odhiambo in the sixth minute allowing the ball to tragically trickle into the back of the net.
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Tusker FC Head Coach Charles Okere reflects on defeat to Gor Mahia
“Yes, we conceded, but if you look at it keenly, it’s a mistake that could have been avoided by our goalkeeper Brian Opondo,” a visibly frustrated Okere stated after the final whistle.
“We didn’t deserve to concede at that moment. We had planned adequately to face Gor Mahia and they could not have gotten an easy goal; we just gave them a cheap goal and now we have to improve as a team.”
The Tusker boss felt his team was the better side for a large part of the game;
“For us, as Tusker, we dominated the majority of the game but let in a not-so-good goal if you consider the top level we are playing in. They scored an early goal and defended well up to the end of the match.”
The CAF A coach further emphasized the need for immediate rectification, citing the competitive nature of the current Sportpesa league campaign.
“We have to rectify this early. This season is quite different because all the teams are very solid, so when we contribute goals to other teams, it puts us in a dangerous position.
It’s a wake-up call and high time we do things effectively.”
The Saturday fixture marked the 100th league meeting between the two giants with Gor Mahia securing their 41st victory while Tusker maintain their 30 wins and 29 matches ending in a draw.
The defeat sees the reigning champions, The Brewers, drop to eighth on the log with 12 points, now trailing league leaders Gor Mahia by seven points.
Tusker will look to bounce back when they return to action against Mara Sugar on November 30th, while Gor Mahia prepares for the highly anticipated Mashemeji Derby against AFC Leopards.