Gor Mahia head coach Johnathan McKinstry was left elated after his side saw off Ulinzi Stars in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League match on Saturday, September 2, 2023.

The 1-0 win at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata was the first one for K’Ogalo in the season after they shared points with Sofapaka following an opening-day draw.

Apart from the game being ‘tense and not entertaining’, the coach said the state of the pitch made things much easier.

‘Tense match’

“The match was tense, and I can say it was not the most entertaining game. We played a more direct style of football because of the nice pitch, and we played a bit of different football than usual.

“We know how to adapt and play, even on a pitch like Kasarani,” McKinstry said in his post-match reaction.

The former Rwanda and Uganda head coach revisited history and how they had fared against the former Premier League champions, and he revealed his elation for their win.

“It is never easy playing against Ulinzi, and we know that, especially in the away game, there is always going to be a fight. Last season, we drew this game 1-1 away to Ulinzi.

“There were 14 games where we did not pick up maximum points, and we asked ourselves if we could turn those draws into wins and if we could turn losses into draws. Today [Saturday] is one of those days; last season, it was one point, and today [Saturday] it’s maximum points.

“However, in football, you want it to be entertaining, but the most important thing is to secure a win,” he concluded.

FIFA break

The FKF Premier League will have a two-week break as the football calendar welcomes the September FIFA international break.

When the break is over, the local giants and the league’s defending champions will face Nairobi City Stars on September 17 at Moi International Sports Complex, Kasarani.