Gor Mahia will look to bounce back from their shock defeat to Bandari onTuesday when they take on beleaguered Posta Rangers in Kisumu this afternoon. The clash against the Mail Men will be their third game in six days, and it seems the fixture pile-up has started to have a toll on the defending champions.
With the pressure of going unbeaten the whole campaign taken off their shoulder following Tuesday’s defeat to Bandari, the runaway SportPesa Premier League leaders will attempt to quickly erase the memories of their last two league outings which included a draw against lowly Nakumatt last Sunday.
Goal keeping errors have been the bane for K’Ogalo this term with both Boniface Oluoch and the often reliable Shaban Odhonji having a finger of blame pointed in their direction.
Coach Dylan Kerr, who had privately expressed his reservations with the performances of goalkeepers Boniface Oluoch and Shaban Odhoji in recent times, confronted goalkeeper training Willis Ochieng in a situation that later turned physical.
That undoubtedly shows that the Englishman is losing his patience with his shot stoppers as the campaign reaches a critical period both domestically and on the continental front.
This altercation reportedly continued into the team bus with team manager Jolawi Obondo repeatedly failing to calm down the two. It is also reported that Kerr and Ochieng exchanged not so pleasant words.
Speaking to the club’s official website, chief executive Lordvick Aduda also termed this incident as ‘unfortunate’ but assured fans that he had brought order.
“We held a meeting today and the technical bench staff – head coach Dylan Kerr, Assistant coach Zedekiah Otieno and Team Manager Jolwai Obondo and goalkeeper trainer Willis Ochieng to discuss and find a lasting solution to the unfortunate incident in Mombasa yesterday (Tuesday), said Aduda.
“There was a misunderstanding between some members of the technical staff which led to what happened at Mbaraki. All parties involved have apologized to each other, to the team, to the club’s management, to all stakeholders and to Gor Mahia fan base at large,” he added.
Third choice custodian Peter Odhiambo may yet be given a chance to stake his claim in goal after deputising for Odhonji three days ago. Having fielded what is viewed by many as his strongest side in the Tuesday afternoon defeat at the coast, all eyes will be on which team Kerr sends out against a team they have scored eight goals in the last two meetings in as many months.
Bernard Ondiek, Cercidy Okeyo, Kevin Omondi and Boniface Omondi will be the beneficiaries of any tinkering Kerr might make. Posta have been blowing hot and cold the entire campaign and its little wonder they are just seven points above the bottom three.
A side teeming with talent and experience across board should be challenging for honours at the top of the table but instead Sammy Omollo led mailmen are anxiously seeking to avoid being dragged into a relegation dogfight.
The 3-1 defeat at the hands of Bandari coupled with the goals they have shipped against Gor,shows defense is no longer their strong point. That will need to change with the likes of Jacques Tuyisenge who is chasing the ‘Golden Boot’ in top form.
Joakins Atudo and co will need to cut out any errors if Posta are to avoid another spanking from a team reeling with pain and wanting to prove that their lose against Bandari was just but a slip not a fall.