'They did not understand'- Murang'a Seal coach reveals factor that helped salvage draw against Gor Mahia

© Murang'a Seal

'They did not understand'- Murang'a Seal coach reveals factor that helped salvage draw against Gor Mahia

Stephen Awino 10:45 - 03.11.2024

Elly Saenyi's stoppage time strike helped Murang'a Seal to complete a second half comeback from a two-goal deficit.

Murang’a Seals head coach Juma Abdallah has disclosed the tactical adjustments that fueled his team’s remarkable comeback from a 2-0 halftime deficit against defending champions Gor Mahia at Machakos Stadium on Saturday.

What began as a challenging match for Seals ended in an impressive 2-2 draw, as Abdallah’s tactical insights led to a pivotal shift in the second half.

The first half saw Gor Mahia in commanding form, netting two goals courtesy of Sharrif Musa and Musa Masika, which gave them a comfortable lead.

However, Seals returned from halftime with a renewed strategy and fighting spirit that quickly changed the game’s dynamic.

Joseph Irungu found the back of the net before Elly Saenyi's stoppage time strike restored parity, setting the stage for an intense finale.

After the game, Abdallah credited the draw to his team’s tactical discipline and improved fitness.

"The game was good according to how it was planned and strategized," he told Pulse Sports in a post-match interview.

"I told the players that if they remained strong technically and tactically, we could turn things around. Today, the players even pointed out to me that fitness is the key. Technically and tactically, I believe we are a good team, better than many in Kenya, but fitness is where we need to focus."

Abdallah’s tactical shift was especially effective in reorganizing the team’s defensive and offensive balance.

"I prepared the attitude and mentality for the defense," he said. "We’ve been working on finishing, and our approach was to move forward with six players while defending with five plus the goalkeeper. It allows us to balance six with six."

One crucial change came when Abdallah replaced Michael Owen with Nicholas Omondi as the switch brought fresh energy to Seals’ attack, catching the defending champions off-guard.

"We removed Owen and brought in Nico (Nicholas Omondi) because Nico is strong in advancing forward, and Gor Mahia didn’t understand that," Abdallah explained.

The match ended in chaos, as frustrated K'Ogalo fans expressed their disappointment in the stands.