Gor Mahia braced for Ulinzi test

After the long international break, Gor Mahia return to action in the Kenya Premier League this weekend as they take on second placed Ulinzi. After getting a day off to recuperate from their international assignments, Gor Mahia players resumed training on Wednesday.

It is a pivotal match because Ulinzi is the only team left that has a mathematical chance (albeit a narrow one) of catching Gor Mahia. A win for Gor Mahia will effectively knock Ulinzi out of contention and give the title to Gor Mahia on Sunday.

Despite their 12 point cushion at the top of the standings, Gor Mahia players are gunning to maintain their unbeaten run and thus become the first team in the KPL era to finish the league unbeaten. Rwandese full back Abouba Sibomana is keen to keep the unbeaten run intact.

“We are ready to celebrate the KPL title but we know the season is far from over. It would be fantastic to win the title on Sunday but we know that we would like to win the league unbeaten too, which is something that we are keen on.” said Sibomana to supersport.com

Gor Mahia beat Ulinzi 2-1 in the first leg. But Sibomana as well as the rest of the squad are expecting a stern test from Ulinzi who have been in good form of late including a win over Sofapaka that knocked Sofapaka out of contention.

“Ulinzi are second and will have something to prove and will want to beat us plus they also have a very good team. We will have to be at our best.”

“However, we are happy to go there and give them a game. They will offer a serious challenge but we back ourselves to do well,” he added.

And Ulinzi coach Robert Matano who excels in mind games has sought to put all the pressure on Gor Mahia.

“It is Gor Mahia, who are under pressure and not Ulinzi. First, they want to win the league, are on top of the league and remain unbeaten. They want to protect all this factors and will therefore, be the ones worried not us,” Matano told goal.com