Kaddu scores hat-trick in Gor’s win
By Charles.Thuku, March 30, 2023Uganda’s Patrick Kaddu made a dream debut for Gor Mahia in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League when he scored a hat-trick in the green ensemble’s resounding 5-0 win against Vihiga Bullets at Kasarani Annex on Tuesday.
The former Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) player scored in the 51st, 58th and 79th minutes with his compatriot Peter Lwasa and Kenyan Austin Odhiambo helping themselves with the other goals.
Mckinstry could afford to tinker with the squad but still beamed with joy at the sidelines following a stellar show from new recruits including Kaddu and fellow Ugandan Shaffique Kagimu.
Like Kaddu, Lwasa paid the faith bestowed on him by head coach Jonathan McKinstry when he scored a goal from a solo effort as Gor strolled to the second biggest win of the season after AFC Leopards beat FC Talanta 6-0 on February 9. Following the win, Gor continues to cling to the top of the table with 45 points from 21 matches. Apparently, in a bid to avoid utility players sustaining injuries ahead of the team’s FKF MozzartBet Cup pre-quarterfinal match against Kakamega Homeboyz next weekend, McKinstry benched scoring machine Benson Omalla and opted to deploy Kaddu as the lead striker.
This was also the first time for McKinstry not to give talismanic striker Benson Omalla a starting list though he introduced him in the second half to replace Lwasa.First-choice goalkeeper Gad Mathews was also not drafted in the list and was replaced by his understudy Caleb Omondi
“I wanted to ascertain what these players will deliver and I’m happy that most of them are learning the ropes pretty fast. I hope they will gel well with the players in the team’s set-up,” said McKinstry.
Three more players who were promoted from Gor’s junior team include: Permeneas Ocholl, Gilbert Otieno and Boniface Otieno.
The three are upbeat that they will impress McKinstry to make the starting line-up.
In a match played at the same venue, Kariobangi Sharks came from a goal down to force pre-match underdogs Wazito to a 2-2 draw.
Wazito who are hanging precariously in the relegation zone made a forceful start and were duly rewarded with an early lead when Collins Neto made no mistake with a loose ball inside Sharks danger zone.