AFC Leopards Captain Duncan Otieno is confident that Ingwe will take advantage of Gor Mahia’s fatigue and come out on top as the two clash on 22nd July 2018.
Otieno will be missing for Ingwe in the Mashemeji Derby due to suspension after accumulating five yellow cards. Speaking on Friday ahead of the much awaited clash that will go down at the Moi International Sports Center (MISC) Kasarani, Otieno maintained his side is still in contention for the title despite being 13 points adrift their rivals who have not lost a single match in the league this season.
“I feel the league is still open. Especially now that they have four games in hand, anything can happen.” The Leopards skipper said.
K’Ogalo have been out of domestic action for more than two weeks with their third place finish in the regional CECAFA- Kagame Cup and the recent CAF Confederation Cup group stage Yanga SC victory their other recent engagements in their busy schedule.
“Considering our opponents’ fitness levels, fatigue could be creeping in and we are hoping to take advantage of that, it is the only way can catch up,” underscored Otieno.
AFC Leopards lie in position five of the 18-team log with 36 points having played 22 matches compared to Gor’s 49 points from 19 games.
AFC Leopards’ standing as one of the most successful clubs in the region is underlined by the fact that it has won the Kenyan Premier League a record 13 times. AFC Leopards has also won the FKF Cup 10 times, and the CECAFA Club Championship 5 times.
Mashemeji derby is the oldest rivalry in Kenyan football history. Fans of both A.F.C. Leopards and Gor Mahia (often referred to by their nicknames, Ingweand K’Ogalo, respectively) recognize each other as arch-rivals. Gor Mahia has won the Kenyan Premier League a record 16 times, while A.F.C. Leopards have three less league titles to their name.
Heading to the derby, they picked a 4-0 win courtesy of a brace from Ephraim Guikan, Humphrey Mieno and an own goal from Hajj Mwinyi. The win saw Gor Mahia FC end their wait for a win in the group’s stages of the Confederations Cup.
Gor Mahia FC are now placed second on the CAF Confederations Cup group D with five points, two behind leaders USM Algiers. Rayon is third while Yanga sits bottom.
Charles Momanyi failed to put Yanga custodian Youth Rostand to his first test as the rising defender failed to guide his header on goal at the end of Samuel Onyango’s cross on the 11th minute.
But it was Jacques Tuyisenge who pulled the first trigger after checking his run well to stay in line with the Yanga center back duo before ducking out to turn home yet another Onyango delivery from the right wing on the 23rd minute.
Humphrey Mieno was superb in the midfield and his classy display of the opening session was crowned with an exquisite assist that sent Ephrem Guikan right through the middle of the opposition defense, and the Ivorian made it count with a well taken low shot past a helpless Youth Rostand. 2-0 Gor Mahia led at the break.
Francis Kahata was also leading the midfield orchestra in his normal style and fashion. His contribution led to the third goal. In the build-up, Bernard Ondiek’s effort from outside the box after a superb run was deflected out for a corner.
While everyone else took position in the Yanga box, Walusimbi at the corner flag saw Kahata unmarked and set him up with a short corner restart, the midfielder floated in a delivery and Shakava rose highest but missed to connect. The ball however did not get Momanyi who was also attacking at the back post as Mwinyi Mngwali attempted clearance turned the ball into his own net for an own goal and Gor Mahia’s third of the encounter.
These goals indeed looked to have settled the tie. But one more goal would always mean so much and that precious fourth came on the 85th minute. This sent the Gor Mahia fans into raptures and sucked life out of the visitors.
Yanga had mounted an attack in search of atleast a consolation goal. But this was stopped by a big clearance by Shakava. Then Francis Mustafa chested the ball down for Mieno in the midfield to release the looking to run Guikan and the rush towards goal was on. The final fire off the striker’s left foot was powerful. Rastand had no chance and the ball came off the far post into the net.
The game was up for the visitors. For coach Kerr, his players and their delighted fans, the quarter-final quest goes on.