Gor Mahia vs AFC Preview
courtesy of the Standard
Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards have already qualified for the continental football next year, there is still more to play for as the two rivals clash in today’s Gotv Shield final at Nyayo National Stadium.
Gor will represent the country in the CAF Champions League after lifting the Kenyan Premier League title, while Leopards will compete in the Confederations Cup by virtue of reaching the Cup final.
This will be the third meeting between the two teams this season; Gor won (1-0) the first leg of the Kenyan Premier League before settling to a 2-2 draw in the return tie.
Apart from the Sh2 million cash prize, the two will be fighting for the bragging rights. Here is a list of the players to watch from both sides.
Dan Sserenkuma has always been a deciding factor in all matches he’s played against AFC. In the last six matches against Leopards, the diminutive Ugandan has scored six times and that’s definitely a scary statistic for Leopards.
But Leopards have Allan Wanga, who has hit the headlines after a series of excellent displays in the second leg of the season. With 14 goals in all competitions (11 in KPL and three cups), Wanga has shown glimpses of his old self and it’s his movement and positioning that have impressed the most.http://gormahia.net/latest/wp-admin/post-new.php
Midfield: Eric Ochieng Vs Peter Opiyo
Little has been said about Eric Ochieng but the midfielder is undisputedly covering every blade of grass in centrepitch for Gor. His ability to link up the midfield and the strikers has been excellent.
If he combines well with Joseph Njuguna they are bound to neutralise Leopards’ penetration in through the midfield.
Leopards, however will utelise the vasatile Peter Opiyo, who has established himself as one of best midfielders in the country and it takes a monumental effort to keep him off the ball. He is invaluable to Leopards.
Gor will need to be wary of his threat going forward and if given room to dictate the tempo of the game, then his killer and sleek passes will stretch Gor’s back four.
reflex action has been superb and winning more than five MVP awards shows he’s by far the best and most consistent keeper in the league. The derby is a crucial game and being a Cup final, Gor’s attempts to handle the attack-minded Leopards will rest heavily on Onyango’s shoulders.
But Leopards Martin Musalia has been in great form since the arrival of coach James Nandwa in September. In the last 12 competitive matches (9 KPL and 3 GOtv), the keeper has kept nine clean sheets.
But today’s final could be his real test as he faces Sserenkuma.
Match tactics — Where it will be won or lost
The midfield is where the game will be decided. Whoever controls the centre pitch will win. Gor Mahia mostly prefers a 4-4-2 system of play, while AFC Leopards are likely to deploy a 4-5-1 structure.
Dear heavenly father just in case the pick pockets did not do a thorough job on Papa Walubengo, then father God I pray that you turn his every curse on Gor Mahia into blessings that will see us beat the cat convincingly. You did this when Balak son of Zippor asked Balaam son of Beor (the Papa Walubengo of that time) to curse for him the Israelites and so we ask you to do it once again to the glory and honour of your name. Almighty God we know that the cat has very speedy forwards, but father I pray and trust that through your power that speed will work against them. That they will run and leave the ball behind for us to pick and score with ease. All this I pray and believe in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
@Barefoot, before you start to pray, please remember that the very team you are praying for was named after a witch-man called Gor from Homabay. Light cannot coexist with darkness. Just like the persecutor Saul repented his ways and changed his name to Paul, So does Gor need a name change before prayers are made
Gor must watch the very first minutes of the game, ingwe have made it a habbit of scoring early in the game otherwise i wish gor good luck.
@BB Amen
Now for the info. to the civil engineers, class 8 composition teachers (with atrocious spelling/grammar) and now poor students of history. Let me put you in the know that the famed Gor Wuod K’galo/ Gor Mahia was a renowed medicine man among other fabled abilities. The witch doctor spin was the usual negative brainwashing creation of the colonialist to anything African and its pathetic that in this day and age there are still some who believe in the cheap propaganda of that time.
After painfully losing to AFC, a bastard wearing got jersey picks a stone, aimd at me and smashes my window on the driver’s side. Is this the cost of being an ardent fan of ggor mahia?
I did’nt know supporting gor mahia is this costly. After painfully losing to AFC, a stupid bastard doning kogallo jersey like me picks a stone the size of a cooking stone and with his two hands aims at my car and smashes my window on the driver’s side, nnarrowly missing my head! Why for heaven’s sake, why? Why? Why?
TodAy was a horror show in tactics by kogallo
I’m sory for what happened to u Mr Dan.some of these pple calling themselves gor mahia fans r the most stupid pple I’ve ever seen.& u find that some of them r college students & u wonder what we get from our colleges. we lost the match & thats a reality check 4 TB and Bobby williamson must strategize to boost his squad for caf championships.we need strikers who can win matches for K’ogalo.we must play like champs of kenya.
Don’t be worried my fellow bloggers sir BOBBY is scouting for Emmanuel Okwi,Musa Mude and Walusimbi
Pole sana Dan,wengine hawana akili!