Sitting seven points ahead of Sofapaka, with one game in hand, Gor Mahia are the bookmarkers favourites to retain the Kenya Premier League title for the third season in a row, unless they perform a Barcelona of course.
But there is more to this clash, than just the points. If Gor beat Sofapaka today and win against Nzoia Sugar on Wednesday, then they will force their rivals AFC Leopards to give them a guard of honour during the Mashemeji Derby on 19th May.
The fans know this, and that is why they have flooded the lakeside city of Kisumu ahead of the mouthwatering top of the table clash this afternoon.
Fans were in the city with their iconic green colors as early as 7Am, more than eight hours before the 4.15PM kick off. Sofapaka is not Ingwe, but there is some excitement in this match especially since all the other teams have failed to rise stop Gor.
K’ogallo fans remember that famous defeat they suffered at the hands of today’s opponents in 2014, which postponed their victory until the last day of the league.
Gor coach Hassan Oktay has urged fans to turn out in large numbers to watch the clash of kings because it will define their ambitions on matters local football.
“Today is the day… we have a tough match against a very good side (Sofapaka) who are really pushing for the title. It will be a game of class, a game of targets and a game of who is the ‘king’. We are going for maximum points… and am urging all fans to watch this match because it will be a tie to define team’s ambitions on matters local league.” Oktay said.
Gor have not lost to Sofapaka since 2017, and go into the match hoping good results, since they have not tested defeat at Kisumu Stadium this season. They will, however, have to do it without their star striker Jacques Tuyisenge who is nursing an injury.
Sofapaka on the other hand have been boosted by the return of their talisman Umar Kasumba who has scored 16 goals this season.