NAIROBI, Kenya, May 15 – AFC Leopards head coach Patrick Aussems believes Gor Mahia star striker Benson Omalla missed his penalty against them because he was overwhelmed by the pressure of playing in the Mashemeji Derby.
The former Kisumu Day High School student has topped the scoring charts this season with 25 goals in 30 games but was unable to prevent his side from losing 2-1 to their longtime rivals in a crucial match for the title-chasing K’Ogalo at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday evening.
“I told my players before the game to relax because the pressure was on them…and the penalty is proof that the pressure was on them. The penalty miss was a huge confidence boost for us,” the Dutchman said.
Vincent Omune and Maxwell Otieno scored on either side of an Austin Odhiambo equaliser in the first half to guarantee Ingwe’s first ever maximum points over their longtime rivals in over seven years.
The win notwithstanding, Aussems insists they will not dwell for long on the historic feat but will immediately turn their attention towards their weekend Ingo derby against Kakamega Homeboyz.
“Seven years without a win and then win today? That is already a memory…this win today is a memory because we now have to focus on our game on Saturday. This game on Saturday, we have been preparing for it for the past three weeks. Against Ulinzi and Nzoia, I made some changes. Today, I wanted Kayci and Bandi to get some match fitness as we build up to this game against Homeboyz,” the former Simba SC tactician said.
AFC had to dig in the second half, putting in a solid shift in defence as the record FKF Premier League champions sought a way back into the game.
Nonetheless, Aussems believes his side took their chances well and offered their opponents minimal opportunities at goal.
“We were not so lucky with set-pieces in past matches but today we scored from a penalty and a corner. During the game, we also had some opportunities to score but at the end of the day what matters is the victory,” he said.
The win hoists Ingwe to seventh place with 45 points as Gor relinquish their lead to Tusker FC who now sit atop with 64 points, one ahead of K’Ogalo.
