Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry believes his team will need a good defence if they have to enjoy success in the CAF competitions next season.
K’Ogalo are close to securing the FKF Premier League title which would see them return to continental football for the first time since 2021 when they suffered an 8-1 loss on aggregate to Algerian side CR Belouizdad in the Champions League first round.
Gor would have played in this season’s competition but were kicked out over failure to clear dues owed to former players but with things looking different this season, McKinstry has emphasised the importance of a rock solid defence if they have to make an impact.
“It is important to be able to score goals at key moments but if you go away to north, south Africa or Ghana and concede a couple of goals, you are out.
“It is very difficult to come back against the modern giants of African football and the budgets they have. We had the best defensive record last season and we have improved that record this season, we are rock solid which gives us a good platform going into CAF.”
McKinstry has faced accusations of being ‘too defensive’ from a section of Gor Mahia fans this season with his side recording slim wins in their march to the title.
K’Ogalo have recorded 10 wins by a 1-0 margin and scored more than one goal in nine of their 28 matches, but they have the meanest defence in the division, which has let in just 13 goals, which their coach feels is crucial for continental success.
McKinstry acknowledges his team will still need to address other areas to have an impact in the CAF matches and is banking on a proper preseason to lay the foundations.
“We always know there needs to be more, a bit more creative and in our communication to make sure we don’t give up one or two silly chances and I think we are well placed,” he added.
“Preseason is going to be really important. We are already putting plans in place for that and if we have a good preseason, we will have a good go in CAF competitions.”
Gor Mahia’s best run in a CAF competition in recent years came in the 2018-19 season when they reached the quarter-final of the Confederation Cup under Turkish coach Hasan Oktay.