Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry has refused to press the panic button after the 2-1 defeat against AFC Leopards dented their hopes of winning the FKF Premier League title this season.
The outcome of the Mashemeji derby against their bitter rivals at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday coupled with Tusker’s 1-0 victory against Kariobangi Sharks at the same venue, saw the Brewers move top of the 18-team table with four matches remaining to conclude the season.
Asked whether the defeat will psychologically affect his team’s quest to win a record 20th league title, McKinstry said: “We have to go back and reflect [on why we lost to AFC] but the guys must pick positives because we played really good football on [Sunday].
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“The lads played a very good game, I think we created a lot of chances and I don’t think any of my players had a bad performance.
“It is just one of those days, football can be cruel sometimes, so players will recover now and get ready and look the first majority of the season we have been chasing, for the last eight to nine games we have been on top, but the majority of the season we have been chasing.
“So look we know Tusker have a point ahead but what a great opportunity to rectify that in a couple of weeks’ time.”
McKinstry was, however, not happy with officiating of the derby insisting K’Ogalo deserved to get a second penalty when striker Benson Omalla was pulled back while in a position to score.
“We are very disappointed, we created a lot of chances, the AFC Leopards goalkeeper Lucas [Opiyo} pulled a couple of great, great saves, we could have possibly had another penalty, we missed a penalty,” added McKinstry.
“I think if you have a close look at the replay on TV when Benson [Omalla] is through in goal in the second half and he is definitely pulled back but it [penalty] was not given.
“But look, creating chances does not give you three points, it’s about putting the ball in the back of the net, I don’t remember AFC Leopards creating a clear chance outside the penalty and the corner, but look they have scored the goals that get them three points, so we must move on to next week and we have got another big game against Tusker.”
Tusker are leading with 64 points from 30 matches, one more than Gor Mahia, who have played the same number of matches. Tusker will host Gor Mahia in what could decide the title race at Kasarani Annex on Sunday.