Polack: Title race is still wide open
Gor Mahia coach Steve Polack is happy with the derby win but he wants his players to understand that they are effectively only four points ahead of second placed Kakamega Homeboyz and 5 points ahead of Tusker. Which means the league is still highly competitive.
Additional reporting from the Nation
“It was tougher for us this time than it was in the first leg and it is evident they have improved. Credit goes to their coach, he is working hard to make the team better,” Pollack said to the Nation
Prior to the derby, Kimani had said the two teams were at par technically, but Gor Mahia was only better “mentally”, an aspect he insisted is crucial in modern football.
And they matched Gor Mahia for the better part of the game save for their lack of sharpness upfront, with their lead striker Elvis Rupia missing a couple of seaters.
With the win, Gor Mahia are now seven points clear at the top of the table with just nine matches to go, but coach Steven Pollack says his lads should not rest on their laurels.
“We just won one game and I must admit it feels good to win the local derby twice, but the league title is not yet won, we have to regroup and work hard to win the remaining games,” he said.
President Uhuru Kenyatta also attended his first ever Kenyan Premier League (KPL) game that was attended by a sizeable crowd estimated to be around 20,000. His presence excited the fans and he promised to support local football. Signs of good things to come?
Forget the title and focus on winning
Gor Mahia head coach Steve Pollack has told his players not to concentrate on winning Kenyan Premier League title but instead focus on winning matches.
Pollack guided his charges to a 1-0 win over long-term rivals AFC Leopards in Sunday’s Mashemeji derby at Kasarani Stadium, a win that pushed them seven points clear at the summit of the KPL standings on 54.
Speaking to Citizen Digital in a post-match reflection, Pollack hailed his charges for the good display but asked them to remain ‘humble’ and stay focused.
“I am very proud of my boys, they really did a wonderful job, we defeated them 4-1 in the first leg and now we have done the same in the return fixture, this is absolutely fantastic.
AFC Leopards also played well, their defence was very solid and they were not allowing my strikers to penetrate their area easily until Onyango got the chance and utilized it well,”he observed.
“Of late my players have been getting carried away by winning the title which is a positive idea but I want to urge them not to concentrate much on that but instead focus on winning the remaining matches,” he said. ” I think it’s too early to say we will win the title, many matches are left and what we are upto is to register three points in each one.”
I have seen players get paid promptly by GMAF and this has melted my heart.The part that has jolted me to make arrangements to join was this:GMAF has its eyes on Gor being a ltd, and one question they asked was who do you want to buy those shares when the time comes. Second they intend to source sponsors and shift to be an investment arm of Gor; glorious(now that is my language) and pay dividends to members. The times they’re a changing.
This league might be decided on the very last day. I hope the team does not collapse again like 2012. Focus on each game.
What’s wrong with Gor being a Ltd and shared being bought? As it is today, the team is struggling financially and the players can’t be paid on time. I think we should think differently with changing times. I don’t mind even we can get a rich billionaire to purchase the club for its own financial stability. The so called diehard fans who cannot support the GMAF initiative are still living in the illusionary world.
Thank-you GMFC members.
GMAF Direct Summary kes
Contributions=. 833,910.00
Less Expenses
1) Bank Charges= 12,121.25
2) Players & TB Salary Support TAV3-20/12/19= 200,000.00
3) Nzoia Bonuses TAV 4-7/2/2020= 135,000.00
4) Zoo Bonuses TAV 5-23/2/2020= 145,000.00
5) W.Stima win bonuses 01/03/2020= 145,000.00
6)?AFC win bonuses 08/03/2020?= 145,000.00
*GMAF balance= 51,788.75