5 things learnt from Sinisa Mihic’s first game in charge of Gor Mahia

From Charles Bbaale promising debut to woes infront of goal, here are five things learnt from Sinisa Mihic’s first game in charge of Gor Mahia.

Gor Mahia head coach Sinisa Mihic began his FKF Premier League journey on a winning note as his team secured a 2-1 comeback victory against Mathare United at Dandora Stadium on Saturday.

Despite a shaky start, Mihic’s side showed resilience, with Alphonce Omija’s first-half strike canceling out Elli Asieche’s opener before Enock Morrison calmly slotted in a second-half penalty to secure all three points for K’Ogalo.

Pulse Sport takes a look at five key takeaways from Sinisa Mihic’s debut in charge of Gor Mahia.

1. Sinisa Mihic is not afraid to speak his mind

Even with a win, Mihic was not completely satisfied with his team’s performance.

Unlike their dominant 4-0 victory over Mathare earlier in the season under former coach Leo Neiva, Gor Mahia struggled to assert themselves this time around.

Mihic openly pointed out areas that needed improvement, particularly defensive lapses that led to Mathare United’s goal.

His willingness to address shortcomings rather than just celebrate the win signals his intent to raise Gor Mahia’s performance standards.

AFC Leopards could not find a way to overcome Kariobangi Sharks as both sides had to share the spoils on Sunday afternoon.

2. Gor Mahia can grind out results

While their performance was far from flawless, Gor Mahia demonstrated the hallmark of champions—winning even on an off day.

Under former interim coach and now assistant coach, Gor Mahia had been plagued by a string of draws that saw them fall behind league leaders Kenya Police and Tusker .

However, Mihic’s first game suggests that his team has the grit to secure results even when not playing at their best. Sometimes, it’s not about playing beautifully—it’s about collecting maximum points.

Mathare United coach John Kamau has expressed frustration after his side squandered a goal advantage to lose 2-1 to Gor Mahia.

3. Charles Bbaale’s Debut Shows Promise

Ugandan striker Charles Bbaale made his FKF Premier League debut after signing for Gor Mahia in the January transfer window.

Coming on in the 61st minute for Congolese striker Gedeon Bendeka, Bbaale showed glimpses of his potential.

His most notable moment came in the 71st minute when he broke through on goal, only to see his shot denied by the Mathare United goalkeeper.

Despite some rustiness, Bbaale’s sharp movement and attacking intent suggest he could be a key player for Gor Mahia in the coming fixtures.

Gor Mahia overcame Mathare to hand Sinisa Mihic his first win as head coach.

4. Mihic not too pleased with Kenya’s stadia

With both Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium undergoing renovations, Gor Mahia has been forced to play most of their home matches at Machakos Stadium and some away fixtures at Dandora Stadium.

Mihic cited the artificial turf at Dandora as a challenge for his team, who are accustomed to natural grass pitches.

He noted that the surface affected their ability to control the game and execute their usual passing patterns.

While he acknowledged the need to adapt, his comments suggest he sees the playing conditions as a limiting factor.

Morrison has been on a good run of form for Gor Mahia in a more advanced role ever since Austine Odhiambo suffered an unfortunate injury.

5. Gor Mahia seriously need a reliable goalscorer

Since the departure of prolific striker Benson Omala, Gor Mahia has struggled to find a reliable goal scorer.

Congolese forward Gedeon Bendeka has yet to impress, while new signing Charles Bbaale is still settling into the team.

In Omala’s absence, marquee midfielder Austin Odhiambo has shouldered much of the goal-scoring burden, but when he is unavailable, the team has lacked cutting-edge finishing.

Their struggle in front of goal was evident against Mathare, where they squandered multiple chances and had to rely on a penalty to secure the win.

Whether Bbaale will emerge as the solution remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Gor Mahia desperately needs a talismanic striker.

Former Gor Mahia winger Enock Wanyama was among the casualities as Gor Mahia released four players.

The Bigger Picture

Sinisa Mihic’s tenure at Gor Mahia has started on a positive note with a win, but there are clear areas that need improvement.

His willingness to critique his team, the ability to grind out results, promising new signings, and their ability to address their woes infront of goal will shape Gor Mahia’s campaign under his leadership.

Gor Mahia next take on Tusker in a top of the table clash on Sunday as they currently trail the Brewer by four points who are tied with Kenya Police at the summit on 38 points.

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Gor Mahia overcame Mathare to hand Sinisa Mihic his first win as head coach.

Morrison has been on a good run of form for Gor Mahia in a more advanced role ever since Austine Odhiambo suffered an unfortunate injury.

Former Gor Mahia winger Enock Wanyama was among the casualities as Gor Mahia released four players.