Gor Mahia takes on Tusker
courtesy of the Nation
A debilitated Gor Mahia face Tusker this afternoon in the season ending DStv SuperSport cup at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Gor Mahia go into Saturday’s match reeling from the shock departure of two key players. After sacking deputy skipper Moses “Dube” Odhiambo, Gor have been jolted by the exit of reliable centre half Donald Mosoti and custodian Ivo Mapunda who have joined Tanzanian outfit Simba SC.
Gor coach Bobby Williamson is also running the risk of fielding fatigued players after some of his top players featured for Harambee Stars in the just concluded Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup.
Gor Mahia regulars, Edwin Lavatsa, Musa Mohamed, Anthony “Teddy” Akumu and defender David “Calabar” Owino, have just gone through the rigours of a two-week international tournament.
Williamson said that he wa preparing his charges for a “tough battle against a good team”.
Facing Tusker will be an interesting re-match bearing in mind the brewers beat K’Ogalo in the regular season.
The brewers picked four points out of six from Gor in the league and also knocked K’Ogalo out of the Top Eight tournament.
IMPORTANT THING
“Our priority is to win the match. It is just three days since I arrived from Scotland and the most important thing is to prepare well,” Williamson said.
The Scot would not be drawn into the transfer saga saying he would only use players at his disposal.
On the other hand, Tusker head into the 3pm encounter with a new man in charge.
Dutch-trained Francis Kimanzi was recently appointed head coach after Robert Matano was given his matching orders.
Kimanzi, the former Harambee Stars coach, says his key concern is the fitness levels of his players.
“I have just been with the team for a week and my concern is their fitness levels. My challenge is to get them in shape for the match and future assignments,” Kimanzi said.
Kimanzi has not lost any key player in the transfer period. However, Tusker’s towering defender and skipper Joseph Shikokoti has been unsettled with reports that the big spending AFC Leopards are after his signature.
Shikokoti’s team mate Samuel Odhiambo is however relishing the looming battle. “We do not fear Gor. We are ready for the match and we want to prove our worth,” he said
The winner of the duel takes home a trophy and Sh750,000. Losers will get Sh500,000.
Why are we only targeting players but we are not signing them? We targeted shituma and Afc scooped him. Situmbeko? We are soon reaching the deadline by CAF yet no big signing. Teams that are going to participate at continental levels are almost thro’ with their lists.
Even reporters are now refering to gor as a debilitated side.
Something must be wrong somewhere. SISEMI KITU
I am not worried. Let all those who want to leave go. Gor will certainly recruit new players. NO ONE is indispensable to let go. I have just seen 2 new faces in the starting lineup. Let us give the TB and the players time. Wacheni panic mob. everything is under control.
For God and my beloved club – Kogallo
We hv lost to Tusker, no Technical bench or office can let a player like Ivo Mapunda go n claim to be targeting money brackets of the continental cup, first round as usual. Bobby Williamson will not take us anywea.
Did not expect Jerim jagol to save any penalty ! We once again lost because we lack the technical edge ……..lets us vote wisely in the elections
@Albert Kosero, am in agreement with you. We bloggers who do not understand football at all. Players will continue to change clubs no matter the circumstances. When players leave, they too create opportunities for others to come in.
The problem is when the players go for free yet they were bought at a price however small. Football is business. Why are some people suggesting that Rachier should remain. Birds of the same feathers have been flocking together. I have not seen any development for the last 3 years. The current EC had reached it’s peak and has nothing new to offer.
True Rachier has done his part and must go home now.