Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry believes his decision to rest key players for their Mozzart Bet Cup fixture helped in thrashing Posta Rangers 4-0 in their FKF Premier League contest on Saturday.

According to the Northern Irish tactician, most of his players in the starting eleven did not travel to Ukunda for the domestic Cup competition where K’Ogalo suffered a shock exit at the Round of 32 after losing 5-4 on penalties to little-known Denmak FC following a 0-0 result in normal time.

Despite the exit, McKinstry says he summoned his troops for the league fixture against the Mailmen which they won to open a 10-point lead at the summit of the 18-team table and it worked in their favour.

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“Believe me or not, we made a strategic decision to leave almost all of the entire starting 11 when we travelled for the FKF Cup game, we did not even travel with them to Mombasa because we knew they needed that reset, they needed a few days off to get their energy back,” said McKinstry.

“We knew if we gave them that and took a risk in the Cup, we would be able to reset and fly in the last 12 games of the season, and in training, they gave us so much energy and we saw it in the performance against Posta, it was a huge result after the upset in Ukunda.”

McKinstry further joked that Gor Mahia should have won the game by nine goals by saying: “I don’t think I am being rude by saying it, it could have been eight or nine goals. We are very pleased with the four goals but if we think of the other ones which were cleared off the line and were just narrowly missed, it could have been eight or nine goals.”

The victory helped K’Ogalo to maintain their top slot as they continued to pursue a record 21st league title. They have managed 14 wins, drawn eight, and lost only one and will next come up against Bandari away in Mombasa on Saturday.