Caf Confederation Cup Group D Review: Gor Mahia hold USM Alger as Yanga draw

USM Alger will now go into their third match of the Group enjoying four points at the top while Gor Mahia are second on two

USM Alger maintained top spot in Group D of Caf Confederation Cup despite dropping points in a barren draw against Gor Mahia on Wednesday night.

It was not going to be a rosy affair in the soggy pitch at Kasarani following the heavy rains pounding Nairobi City, and both sides had to be cautious when passing the ball. The art was mastered by the visitors quickly and could have been rewarded as early as the second minute.

The dangerous Mezianne Bentahar found his way into K’Ogalo danger zone and was seemingly flipped. The centre referee from Mali felt that was not a foul and to the disappointment of the visiting team, he waved play on.

That incident was a wakeup call for Gor Mahia, who created a chance of their own in the 20th minute. George ‘Blackbbery’ Odhiambo broke his way past the marker and brought in a cross that was headed by Ephraim Guikan, but the goalkeeper put it out for unfruitful corner.

The best chance for the home team came in the 30th minute. Francis Kahata floated in the ball from the right, Odhiambo headed on target but the custodian parried it, his follow up shot hit the post with the visitors helpless.

Three minutes later, a defensive blunder by Joash Onyango created problems for his side. The former Western Stima defender gave the ball away in the danger zone. He ended up giving away a free-kick and in the bid to clear, it seemingly hit kahata's arm, but the referee once again let it go.

USM Alger will now go into their third match of the Group enjoying a four-point lead while Gor Mahia are second on two points.

In Tanzania, Young Africans (Yanga) failed to use home ground advantage as they battled to a scoreless draw with Rayon Sports of Rwanda.

The draw gave Yanga their first point in the Group but they will remain rooted at the bottom of the table as they prepare to host Gor Mahia in their third match.