“Even though Gor Mahia have started the season badly, they are still a difficult team to get the better of and we must be at our utmost best if we are to do that,” Otieno was quoted by the club’s
Facebook page as saying.
“Even more now that they have a new coach. We must work as a team from the first whistle until the last. We didn’t start the season on the right footing last weekend against Sofapaka so we have to make amends and avoid at all costs another disappointing result.”
Otieno scored his first goal for Mathare United against Gor Mahia in November 2019 and was also on target against Batoto ba Mungu during the Wundanyi loss. Van Persie, as he is known, has seven goals for the 2008 Premier League champions and the 2020/21 season is his second with the Eastlands club.
“It was a difficult match given everything that has happened in the lead-up to our first game of the season and I cannot fault my players for the loss. They gave everything and as a coach that is what you want.”
The tactician said it would not be enough to judge Mathare United solely on the margin of loss since they had brilliant moments on the pitch against the 2009 Premier League champions.
“The scoreline looks as if we were played off the pitch but that just wasn’t the case,” the tactician added.
“We caused Sofapaka plenty of problems going forward, especially in the second half and we were almost close to sealing an incredible comeback with the score at 3-2, but sadly it never quite happened.”
Mathare is among the few teams in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League who play
tiki-taka type of football and that is my type of football.
The former Tusker FC and Nairobi Stima player has further thanked the Nairobi-based side for having faith in him and his abilities, to the point of going for his services. Football is a game of chances and I take this opportunity to thank Mathare United for giving me a chance to redeem my career, Ochieng added. I am optimistic about repaying their faith in me by helping them to win as many matches as possible.
After a goalless first half, the hosts, deservedly, scored in the 48th minute.
A good ball to Brian Ochieng found the Thika-based side off guard. The midfielder cut the ball back for Reagan to score what turned out to be the winning goal.
It was the Banker s sixth win in as many matches, and they are now on 18 points while Bidco are ninth on the log with seven points after as many matches.
At Wundanyi Stadium, Mathare United started their league campaign with a 4-2 loss against Sofapaka.
It took Batoto ba Mungu 12 minutes to take the lead when former Gor Mahia midfielder Juma Lawrence beat Job Ochieng from close range.
Four days after the clash against the Batoto ba Mungu, Mathare United will play Zoo FC before hosting Bandari on January 22nd. The Slum Boys will then travel to Nakuru and face Ulinzi Stars on January 27th before concluding the month’s duties with a game against Tusker on January 31st.
On the other hand, Zoo will open the season with a match against Bandari FC at Afraha Stadium on January 9. They will then face Posta Rangers at the same venue on January 13 as FKF has not given a reason why the matches will not be hosted at the Kericho Green Stadium.