Kenya: Acid Test for Gor

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Francis Wadegu

7 May 2011

AFTER Sofapaka fell to minnows Nairobi City Stars on Wednesday, Gor Mahia will be weary of bottom of the table Bandari when the two sides meet today at City stadium.

Gor’s two defeats in the league so far have come against teams they would have beaten-high-flying Rangers and then City Stars-and having drawn against Congo United last time out, Zedekiah Otieno’s side will be expected to go for nothing short of a win in front of their own fans against the Mombasa side. Fans have allegedly claimed that Otieno’s performance in today’s match will determine his future with the club.

The Mombasa side suffered a blow after first choice keeper Rahman Swaleh was ruled with Malaria. He will be replaced by young Khamis Musa.

Meanwhile, AFC Leopards have been given a boost ahead of their trip to Mumias tomorrow against Thika United with the return of four key players who have been out of action for a while due to injuries.

Midfielders Salim Khamis, Martin Imbalambala, Augustine Etemesi and Joseph Okumu have all been cleared by the doctor and were in action at the City Stadium this week, where the squad held their training.

Striker Demonde Selenga, who missed Monday’s win due to a bout of Malaria was also in training and is in contention to feature against Thika. Goalkeeper Barnabas Tiema is convinced they have turned the corner.”We have improved a lot this season compared to the last and the results have started going our way. What we need now is to get a little bit more consistent,” he said. The match set for tomorrow will be played in Mumias at the request of the home side Leopards.

City Stars buoyed by their hard fought 1-0 win over giants Sofapaka travel to the Coast for a relegation dogfight against Congo United. While their performances against the ‘Top Dogs’ has been impressive, coach Ken Odhiambo targets to beat teams closer to them on the league log as the key to changing their fortunes. “We must start getting results against teams that are in our level in the league starting today against Congo,” he said in the wake of Wednesday’s win over Sofapaka.

In other matches tomorrow Chemelil Sugar’s new coach will be available to watch his side take on Western Stima. Manoah, who spearheaded Chemelil’s only silverware win in 2002 when they lifted the President’s Cup now FKL cup will officially be unveiled next week. In the nearby Awendo, rejuvenated defending champions Ulinzi Stars visit Sony Sugar looking to build on their recent improvement in form.

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