McKinstry: Charity Shield victory, squad depth and what the season holds in store

2022/23 FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia FC already have another trophy in the cabinet. This comes after Kakamega Homeboyz dispatched Kakamega in the FKF Charity Shield Cup on Saturday.

Gor and the Homeboyz played the full ninety minutes and ended it evenly tied. Penalties would have to separate them, and this was a challenge the league champions took well, edging Homeboyz 4-2.

Coach Jonathan McKinstry believes duels against Homeboyz always prove tough.

‘’Thanks for the organization of it. To the FKF and to Kakamega Homeboyz for giving us a really good game,’’ says the coach after the clash.

"I think it’s a glamorous pre-season game; let’s call it what it is. We are another two weeks away from full fitness, and Homeboyz may have started their pre-season a week or two earlier than us because they have their Confederations Cup, and we wish them well on that. I thought it was an evenly matched game, as it always is between ourselves and Homeboyz.’’

After a barren first half, it was Gor Mahia who took the lead through a deliciously arranged goal. Alpha Chris picked out Boniface Omondi from a corner kick, and the diminutive winger met it with a half-volley that completely caught the Homeboyz by surprise. Ten minutes later, however, Goalkeeper Caleb Omondi couldn’t take care of Estone Esiye’s free kick, and Eric Ambunya was well-placed to tap in the equalizer. The coach is not impressed by how his defense exposed the young goalkeeper.

‘’We are quite disappointed to concede the goal the way we did because we can’t attach any blame to the young goalkeeper because the wall has to do its job. It’s not like it went over the wall; it went right through it, so that was disappointing,’’ he continues.

Unlike Homeboyz, who have a match in 7 days, Gor Mahia only have Sofapaka to think about, and that will be on the opening day of the FKF Premier League. Coach McKinstry explains why some of his players still do not look ready.

‘’There are a few players who are yet to get to full fitness; you saw Benson Omalla, who hasn’t been training much because of an injury, and John Macharia had a little knee knock. Some people might wonder, Why is he not fully sharp yet? We’re on our way there, and by the time we play Sofapaka in two weeks, we know we will be ready. Games like today help us make that step,’’ he explains.

Former Nzoia Sugar captain Kevin Juma was handed his Gor Mahia debut against Homeboyz, and the coach believes him to be a rough diamond who will find his rhythm in the team.

‘’We wanted to give different players a runout; we wanted to win, obviously, but we also wanted to be ready for Sofapaka. It’s going to be a long season in the KPL. Kevin Juma is new, so he just needs to learn more about his teammates and where they like their passes. Alpha, you know what he can do; he just needs to be consistent about it. We have also brought Lawrence Juma back into the team, who is massively experienced,’’ he concludes.

The champions will begin their title defense at home against Sofapaka on the 26th of August.

Gor Mahia floor Kakamega Homeboyz to lift FKF Charity Cup