Gor Mahia face DC Motema Pembe in crucial match
On Sunday, Kogalo will tackle DC Motema Pembe of DR Congo in a CAF Confederations playoff match. The encounter will determine who goes to the group stage and the Ksh 27 million windfall that comes with reaching the group stage.
Gor Mahia will try to overcome all the tribulations they have been facing including the loss of sponsorship which has resulted in players going months without pay.
In addition their performance on the local stage has not been convincing. But coach Steve Polack is confident.
“I feel we have improved in every aspect and my players will now do the job at home. I expect a win. In football, you aspire to win your home matches before the fans and that is what we will go for on Sunday,” said Polack in an interview with Nation Sport at Camp Toyoyo.
The return of Joash Onyango and Kenneth Muguna will also be a much needed boost to the team.
“There were issues with my two captains (Kenneth Muguna and Joash Onyango), but they are back. The players have agreed that we hand them back their roles. The off-pitch issues will always be there but we are more focussed on winning our game at home so that we can head to the second leg with confidence,” added Polack.
Gor Mahia will also be relying on Lawrence Juma who has hit a rich vein of form that saw him called up to the national team. Juma has proven to be a reliable player in such playoff games. Last year he scored one of the goals that propelled Kogalo to the group stage.
They will also hope to get a solid performance from the goalkeeping position which was very shaky against Algerian side USM Alger.
DC Motema Pembe arrived in Kenya Friday after a camp in Rwanda. They have been in solid form at home. They are currently in second place with 17 points from 8 matches, two points behind league leaders TP Mazembe. Their last league match was a 3-0 win over bottom club Bukavu Dawa.
To reach this stage, Motema Pembe eliminated Stade de Melong of Cameroon on 4-0 aggregate, before beating Al Khartoum of Sudan on away goals rule.
I wish to laud Joash and Muguna for showing solidarity with their colleagues who for one reason or another saw it wise not to join them in going on leave .
The solidarity required by the players for now should not only be targetted at their future which is in the long run , but in the short term target of getting into the group stage and winning the ksh 27million .
It needs no reminder , that the further the team progresses in the tournament , the more the money and the more the exposure for the individuals in the team , that is the kind of solidarity a person even with half a brain should propagate , anything to the contrary can never be helpful to the player , the only thing /person those kind of juvenile advises help are the opportunists ( unfortunately for them , the world is more and more witnessing a shortage of fools )who are incapable of differentiating their wet feelings for the EC from the club/players/fanbase and would rather the team loses with the infantile assumption that it is Rachier , an established lawyer is the one who would have lost , With or without Gor , Rachier’s life will comfortably continue , what would have been destroyed are those young boys lives If they were to follow the kind of advise you cannot visit upon your very own family .
With the family now back together , the least we can do , as real and fake fans , is to go to the stadium , pay , fill the stadium and peacefully but loudly cheer the boys to victory , its our turn to play our part .
I like this Coach .
NB:@BB , Personally , am not able to make it for this game because it is not logistically possible for me to do so , I request that you carry my spirit with you to the match -Thanks .
Thank you so much my good friend, Teddy Sofaset. I would love very much to “carry your spirit” with me to the match, but unfortunately, I too won’t make it to Nairobi. I only did what I thought was sensible as the saying goes “if you miss the ball, don’t miss to buy a ticket ….” Since I will be missing the match, I felt I should also not miss to buy my ticket. I wish to sell this idea to other K’Ogalo faithfuls who may not make it to Kasarani tomorrow. Let us buy tickets, our inability to attend notwithstanding, The Swahili people say bandu bandu huisha gogo.
My good luck wishes to the team. With self belief you will silence these loud mouth Congolese, it is not the Motema Pembe of those years. In any case they know/have heard of and must be wary of meeting Gor Mahia. Give me 3-0.
As supporters
1. Let’s all go there and PAY.
2. Let us not throw anything on to pitch, no matter what
3. Cheer, cheer and cheer no matter what
4. Continue with donations
All the best to the team. Play with pride
Wishing Gor Mahia players all the best as they take the field against Daring Club Motema Pembe.
GOD’S PRESENCE ENGULF you individually and collectively and propel you to victory.
We believe in your capabilities and have utmost confidence that your are getting a comfortable victory that will make the return leg an enjoyable outing in Kinshasa
Amen. Success to you team!
Any channel showing the match for those who are far?