Gor Mahia play Young Africans in their Caf Confederation Cup Group ‘D’ return match at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam Sunday evening knowing a win will push them to the brink of qualification to the quarter-finals and the financial goodies that come with it.
High flying K’Ogalo have overcome every obstacle on their way this season and even the lose of their talismanic forward Meddie Kagere to Simba could not derail their sojourn to the KPL title. But Sunday’s match is their most important game of the season. A win for them, will send a message of intent to their opponents that the Kenyan giants are now ready to reclaim their spot in African football.
With no serious international football for national team Harambee Stars, Gor have been carrying the hopes of all Kenyan football fans this season, and fans hope to enjoy this beyond the CAF CC group stages.
Group leaders and favourites USM Alger of Algeria host Rayon Sport from Rwanda on Sunday in a match the north African outfit is expected to win before the anticipated pool decider match with the Kenyan champions at the Omar Hamadi stadium in Algiers.
Speaking on Saturday, K’Ogalo coach Dylan Kerr downplayed his team’s impressive 4-0 thrashing of the Tanzanian club when the two teams met in the reverse fixture at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi on July 18.
“Every game is very important for this club that is why we are not thinking about our win at home. This is going to be different and difficult because Young Africans want to win by all cost,” he said.
Rwandan forward Jacques Tuyisenge is expected to lead Gor’s attack with Ivorian Ephrem Guikan against a team hurting from the Nairobi massacre and eager to gain revenge and a potentially intimidating environment at the 60,000-seater facility.
TEAM NEWS
Burundian forward Francis Mustafa, who joined K’Ogalo three weeks ago, is not available for selection. His absence offers an opportunity for Kevin ‘Daddy’ Omondi, scorer of two goals against Posta Rangers in the FKF SportPesa Shield on Wednesday, to get a run against the Tanzanian giants.
Boniface Oluoch should guard the goal, with captain Harun Shakava and Ugandan marauding fullback Godfrey Walusimbi the experienced faces in the back four.
Mercurial midfielder Francis Kahata and Humphrey Mieno, the pass master are expected to mantain their places in the heart of midfield.
tI will be make-or-break for the cash strapped Yanga, who are bottom of the group as they need nothing short of maximum points to keep their remote chances of qualifying for the knock-out stages alive.
USM top the standings with seven points from three games, Gor are two points adrift, Rayon have amassed two points, and Yanga only have a point to their name.
The top two clubs on the standings will qualify for the quarters.
“Our plans are in tatters because we couldn’t train for almost five days because of economic hardship facing the club as players were demanding their salaries and signing fees, it is hard for us,” Yanga’s Congolese coach Mwinyi Zahera told the Confederation of African Football official website.
Mwinyi will rely on Deus Kaseke, Matteo Anthony, Haji Mwinyi, Abdallah Shaibu, Said Juma Makalu and Hassan Kessy against the in-form Kenyan team.
Gor Mahia travelling squad:
Goalkeepers: Boniface Oluoch, Shaban Odhoji
Defenders: Charles Momanyi, Joash Onyango, Harun Shakava, Godfrey Walusimbi, Philemon Otieno
Midfielders: Humphrey Mieno, Cercidy Okeyo, Boniface Omondi, Samuel Onyango, Francis Kahata, Lawrence Juma, Bernard Ondiek
Forwards: Jacques Tuyisenge, George Odhiambo, Ephrem Guikan, Kevin Omondi
Officials: Dylan Kerr, Zedekiah Otieno, Jolawi Obondo, Patrick Opiyo, Willis Ochieng, Fred Otieno, George Omondi.