El Merreikh Bentiu head coach Ramzi Sebit has sparked controversy following his team’s 1-0 victory over Gor Mahia in the CAF Champions League preliminary round first-leg match. The South Sudanese side’s use of time-wasting tactics during the match at Juba Stadium on Sunday afternoon has ignited a heated debate about the ethics of such strategies in football.
The match, which was closely contested from start to finish, has become a talking point not just because of the scoreline but due to the manner in which El Merreikh Bentiu secured their win. Gor Mahia’s head coach, Lénardo Neiva, did not hold back in his post-match comments, openly criticizing the Sudanese team for what he described as unsporting behavior. Neiva accused El Merreikh Bentiu of deliberately wasting time to break the momentum and rhythm of the game, thereby disrupting Gor Mahia’s chances of finding an equalizer.
Sebit, however, was unapologetic about his team’s approach. In a post-match interview with The Star, he defended the tactics, emphasizing that the ultimate goal in football is to secure a victory, regardless of the means employed. “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,” Sebit said, making it clear that he prioritized results over style.
The coach further elaborated that sometimes, in high-stakes competitions like the CAF Champions League, teams must adopt a pragmatic approach to achieve their objectives. “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,” Sebit asserted confidently, indicating that he would not hesitate to employ similar tactics in the future if they proved effective.
The match itself was a tense affair, with both teams struggling to break through each other’s defenses during the first half. The deadlock was finally broken in the 63rd minute when Mohamed Musa found the back of the net, putting El Merreikh Bentiu in the lead. From that point on, the Sudanese side focused on preserving their advantage, employing tactics that many have described as unsporting.
Gor Mahia, known for their resilience, continued to push forward in search of an equalizer, but their efforts were repeatedly thwarted, not just by El Merreikh Bentiu’s defense but by the perceived time-wasting tactics as well. As the final whistle blew, the Kenyan champions were left frustrated, knowing that the return leg at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, August 25, would be their last chance to overturn the deficit and keep their CAF Champions League campaign alive.
Despite the controversy surrounding the match, Sebit remained steadfast in his belief that his team’s approach was justified. He argued that in football, the end often justifies the means, particularly in a tournament as prestigious as the CAF Champions League. “At the end of the day, it’s about progressing to the next round. If playing a certain way helps us achieve that, then that’s what we will do,” Sebit stated.
As Gor Mahia returned to Nairobi on Monday, the team quickly shifted its focus to the crucial return leg. The players were given a brief break before resuming training, with the coaching staff keen on devising a strategy to counter El Merreikh Bentiu’s tactics and secure the win needed to advance to the next round. A victory in the upcoming match is not only essential for progression in the tournament but also holds the promise of a potential clash with the defending champions, Al Ahly of Egypt, in the next stage.
For Gor Mahia, the return leg is about more than just redemption; it’s an opportunity to demonstrate their resilience and commitment to fair play. Coach Neiva, while critical of the tactics used by El Merreikh Bentiu, is focused on motivating his team to rise above the controversy and deliver a performance that will make their supporters proud.
As the countdown to the second leg begins, both teams are preparing for what promises to be an intense and closely watched encounter. Gor Mahia will be playing with the added advantage of home support at Nyayo National Stadium, where they will aim to overturn the 1-0 deficit and advance to the next round.
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