El Merreikh Bentiu Head Coach Ramzi Sebit has boldly stated that they played dirty football in their 1-0 win over Gor Mahia in the CAF Champions League first leg in Juba, South Sudan on Sunday.
Ramzi was responding to Gor Mahia head Coach Lénardo Neiva’s complaints that the Sudanese players wasted time by falling on the pitch and faking injuries, to kill momentum and waste time.
Ramzi said that football is a game of numbers and what matters at the end of the day, is the number of goals you score against your opponent
"Play Ugly and get the results, that's why we've managed to beat Kenyan champions Gor Mahia today. and we will repeat it again if need be," the Sudanese tactician said.
After a barren draw in the first half, Mohamed El Feji’s 63rd-minute goal handed the South Sudanese champions a slim victory over K’Ogalo.
K'Ogalo fought hard with Boniface Omondi, Chris Ochieng and Congolese import Gideon Bendeka firing from all cylinders, but Ramzi’s charges stood firm at a fully parked Juba Stadium.
Ramzi had earlier warned Gor Mahia to prepare for a beating in Juba despite having several first-team players injured, he executed that albeit with the dirty tactics involved.
However, his K' Ogalo counterpart Leonardo Neiva cried foul of the anti-football tactics displayed.
“They disrupted play, especially after scoring, and didn’t want to play football anymore, which is sad for African football. At full-time, we needed at least seven minutes of added time, not the four minutes given by the referees. I am very surprised by this old-fashioned style of football. Win on the pitch, not through unfair tactics. This is not an excuse though; they played well in the first half," said the South American.
Leonardo is however optimistic of turning the tables against the youngest country in Africa at home.
K'Ogalo will be boosted by the availability of Rooney Onyango and Musa Masika who failed to travel to Juba after their passports were confiscated by the Italian Embassy.
K'Ogalo landed at 11 am this morning and are will take a one-day break, before resuming training tomorrow, ahead of the return leg at Nyayo National Stadium, on 25th August 2024.
Egyptian giants Al Ahly who are the defending champions await the aggregate winner in the second round.