The match was played at Machakos Stadium. Kogallo will live to blame themselves for missing several clear cut chances while the Tunisians will have their goalkeeper Noel Ben Sherifia to thank for pulling crucial saves to keep them in the match.
Kogallo will now go back to drawing board and prepare for the second leg in ten days in Tunis. Gor will need a win to proceed to the next round.
Ultimately whether yesterday’s goal-less draw was good enough for Gor Mahia to make history by reaching the last sixteen group stages of the Caf Champions League will be decided in Tunis.
But this performance in Machakos against Esperance was what many have come to expect week in, week out from K’Ogalo. Dylan Kerr’s charges played without fear and took the game to their more illustrious rivals and the Tunisians will be glad they go back home unscathed.
Kerr approach to the tie was brimming with confidence, ditching his preferred 5-3-2 for an attacking 4-3-3. George Odhiambo, Medie Kagere and Jacques Tuyisenge constantly pestered the Esperance defence manned by Coulibaly Fousany and Khalin Chamam.
-FRANCIS WADEGU