Gor Mahia eye top spot in the league
After being bundled out of the Caf Champions League, Gor Mahia will return to Kenyan Premier League (KPL) action on Wednesday night to face Kenya Commercial Bank at the Nyayo National Stadium starting 7pm.
The reigning league champions tumbled out of the continental competition after suffering a 2-0 aggregate loss to AC Leopards of Congo on Sunday.
K’Ogalo will therefore be seeking a quick bounce back from their setback and reclaim top spot in the league with victory over the bankers.
Their loss in Congo notwithstanding, Gor Mahia will start as firm favourites in the match given that KCB have not been on the best of forms. The bankers lost 1-0 to Chemelil Sugar and 3-1 to Bandari in their last two matches.
Currently, Western Stima, are perched on top of the pile with 12 points from five matches following their hard earned 3-2 victory over Sofapaka at the Kisumu County Stadium at the weekend.
But a win for K’Ogalo will see the two teams go level on points with Gor Mahia holding a superior goal difference.
In Dolisie, Congo, the venue of their clash with AC Leopards, head coach Frank Nuttall missed the input of lethal Rwandese playmaker Meddie Kagere and full backs Karim Nizigiyimana and Abouba Sibomana.
SOLE VICTORY
The three players are expected to reclaim their places in the squad and feature prominently against the bankers.
In Wednesday’s other match, Muhoroni Youth will be chasing their second win of the new season when host a wounded Sofapaka in Muhoroni.
Francis Baraza’s Muhoroni’s sole victory this term came at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru, where they floored Nakuru All Stars 3-1.
On the other hand, Sofapaka have won just once in four outings and their Ugandan head coach Sam Timbe would not be drawn into discussing the shortcomings of his team in an interview with Nairobi News.
“Anyone who watched the match against Western Stima need not to dwell on why we lost the game. It was there for all to see. My hope is that we can get the result we need against Muhoroni. We don’t have any injury worries and again, it’s my hope that the boys are geared for the game,” Timbe said.
Anthony Ndolo, who was voted the Most Valuable Player last term, and Enock Agwanda have been far from the imperious form that saw them guide their side to victory in the GOtv Shield and a league runners up slot last season.
While their poor form has had a negative impact on Batoto ba Mungu, the two are still expected to play a key role in today’s encounter.
KPL Fixtures: Gor Mahia v KCB (Nyayo – 7pm), Muhoroni Youth v Sofapaka (Muhoroni – 3pm)