Gor Mahia will hope to tighten their grip on top spot when they face Nzoia Sugar this Sunday in the KPL.
Gor Mahia will hope to tighten their grip on top spot when they face Nzoia Sugar this Sunday in the KPL.
Sunday, March 11 – 4:15pm local time – Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos County
Gor Mahia will be looking to cement their place at the helm of the Kenyan Premier League when they host fellow westerners Nzoia Sugar on Sunday in Machakos.
K’Ogalo retained the sanctuary of first place having cruised to a 2-0 victory over Bandari last weekend. Bandari’s high flying start to the campaign came crashing down when shot-stopper Faruk Shikalo committed two massive howlers in each half, blunders which Wesley Onguso and Meddie Kagere used to full effect to hand the Dockers their first defeat of the season.
As has been customary in recent years, Gor Mahia stayed in the shadows during the opening round of the 2018 KPL campaign, given their participation in the CAF Champions League, but the reigning champions have quickly restored the feel-good factor after drawing on level terms with the rest of the pack on the number of league matches played this season.
It is perhaps for this reason that head coach Dylan Kerr has bemoaned the federation for showing little leniency in the schedule despite Gor’s participation on the continental front. The games have come thick and fast for the mighty K’Ogalo, as have the injuries, which may very well threaten their quest for glory in the CL.
The opportunity to take the advantage to Tunis went begging when Gor Mahia missed cataclysmic chances against Esperance on Wednesday afternoon during their 0-0 draw with the North African side. Jacques Tuyisenge and Meddie Kagere were both denied by the woodwork in a brisk and busy game, and the attacking duo will have to cool off their disgruntlement with a fine performance against Nzoia Sugar.
While Gor are soaring in the league and quite literally across the continent, Nzoia are struggling to keep their heads afloat domestically.
Benard Mwalala’s side is mired in 15th place after their first five opening matches, and quite rightly struggling to gain a foothold in the top division. It is exceptionally tight in the bottom of the table, as Nzoia, Thika United, Vihiga United and Zoo Kericho are all tied on three points.
Gor will be without Wellington Ochieng, who suffered a leg injury during last weekend’s victory over Bandari. Early details suggest the right-back could miss the remainder of the first half of the season. The defender joins Ugandan international Godffrey Walusimbi on the sidelines.
Gor Mahia will be looking to repeat their Badari heroics with a solid performance. Nzoia just want to keep the momentum going after their stunning 3-1 win over Kakamega Homeboyz last weekend – their first of the campaign. Gor need to come big this weekend ahead of their decisive CAF Champions League tie against ES Tunis.
Prediction: Gor Mahia to win
Gor 4-0 Nzoia (September 9, 2017)
Jacques Tuyisenge 26’ Meddie Kagere 45’+1 Jean-Baptiste Mugiraneza 58’ Francis kahata 64’
Nzoia 0-1 Gor (May 14, 2017)
Meddie Kagere 14’