Gor Mahia's title aspirations took a hit with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Bandari as coach McKinstry cites misfortune and missed opportunities.
Gor Mahia head coach Johnathan McKinstry expressed his views following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Bandari FC in a keenly contested match at Mbaraki Grounds in Mombasa on Saturday afternoon.
This clash marked Gor Mahia's second loss of the season, narrowing their lead at the FKF Premier League summit.
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The only goal of the match came in the 40th minute thanks to a well-coordinated effort between Rwandese Shasiri Nahimana and midfielder Fidel Origa, who seized the moment to score.
In a post-match interview, McKinstry expressed his frustration with the outcome, attributing the loss to a combination of misfortune and missed opportunities.
"To be honest, Bandari scored with their one chance; any opportunity they had to sneak through, they got flagged offside. We had our offside line well, but we hadn't cleared our lines from throws, and we didn't close down a shot, which was really frustrating because a lot of our performance wasn't where we wanted it to be," McKinstry lamented.
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The Nothern Irishman further analyzed the tactical aspects of the game, noting improvements and shortcomings.
"We got around Bandari players well in the first half, but we weren't quick enough, and we played the ball into the feet of attacking players. However, we spent a lot more time in Bandari's half in the second half and created some chances," he added.
The loss to Bandari has tightened the title race, cutting Gor Mahia's lead at the top to just seven points.
With the season heading into its final stretch, McKinstry's side remains at the forefront with 50 points from their matches, while Bandari trails with a respectable 43 points.
Looking ahead, McKinstry remains optimistic about his team's prospects.
"Today, Bandari defended well, and they had one big chance, which they scored. We had a couple of chances in both halves, but we couldn't capitalize on them. It's frustrating," he admitted, reflecting on the day's outcome.
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Yet, his forward-looking approach signals a belief in Gor Mahia's ability to regroup and perform in the upcoming fixtures.
Gor Mahia is set to return to action on Saturday 6 April, hosting Kakamega Homeboyz at Machakos Stadium following the international break.
With 10 matches left in the season, the race for the championship is far from over, and McKinstry's squad will be eager to extend their lead and clinch the title.
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The coming weeks promise intense action and fervent anticipation as Gor Mahia aims to overcome this setback and finish the season on a high.
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