Battling Rayon humble Gor at Kasarani, thrust group quarters ticket open

Gor Mahia were on Sunday night shocked 2-1 by Rayon Sports of Rwanda in a Caf- Confederations Group D match played under flood lights at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Gor made life difficult for themselves in the night when they fell behind in the second minute courtesy of Bonfils Bimenyimana tap-in and had to rally to equalise in the 22nd minute when Francis Mustapha shrugged off a challenge from his marker to slot home.

However Gor were pegged back in the 52nd minute when danger man Eric Rutanga made the most of the free- kick awarded outside of the box.

He stepped up and curled in a delicious free kick above the wall to the top of the net leaving Gor’s goalie Shaban Odhoji well beaten as he raced to celebrate. Gor players were left shell-shocked.

Gor needed to win or draw to qualify for the Cup quarters but the defeat means that the group’s fate shall be decided on August 29 when the last leg of the group matches are played.

Gor are on eight points and with USM Algers of Algeria also losing 2-1 to Young Africans of Tanzania in Dar es Salaam it means K’Ogalo still top the pool on 8 points same as the Algerians.

For Rayon, the win in Nairobi has given them hope and a new lease of life in their bid to sneak to the quarters.With six points, Rayon can move to nine points should they beat Yanga in their final group game meaning there is everything to play for.

At Kasarani, it was a tense duel and Gor’s coach Dylan Kerr faced some nervous moments when lead striker Jacques Tuyisenge picked an injury and has to be attended to.Kerr later brought on board Samuel Onyango for Mustapha with 11 minutes left on the clock but it couldn’t earn them a point.

The second half started with vigour and in the 51st minute, Rayon captain Thiery Manze went into the referee’s book after a rough tackle on Tuyisenge. Just a moment later, Eric Mutanga scored from a 23 yard free-kick .

With time quickly rolling, Rayon opted to play with five men at the back to keep K’Ogalo at bay and the ploy worked to their advantage.