Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia renew their newly developed rivalry against Tusker today.
The two sides clash in the first leg match of the KPL Top 8 semi-final at the Nyayo National Stadium at 4.15pm.
This will be the pair’s fifth meeting in a row at this stage of the knock-out tournament and the second encounter between the two teams this season.
Gor and Tusker have each won the tournament twice since Ulinzi Stars clinched the inaugural tournament in 2011.
Gor Mahia reclaimed the Cup last year after beating Sony Sugar 2-1 in the final.
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This was after they had edged out the Brewers 4-3 on aggregate.
The highly anticipated match will be preceded by an early kick off encounter between inaugural winners Ulinzi Stars and Muhoroni Youth at 2pm.
Both teams are coming off quite different results. League leaders Tusker were held to a 2-2 draw by AFC Leopards in a KPL tie last month as Gor Mahia beat Sofapaka 2-0.
However, Tusker assistant coach George Awoko wants his men to prove their 1-0 league victory over K’ogalo in April was no fluke.
“This is a best chance for us to confirm the league win was not a fluke. Being the holders doesn’t mean that Gor Mahia are the favourites.
“Our confidence level is very high and the boys are in good shape and eager to play,” Awoko said.
The official further insisted that midfielder Humphrey Mieno is in the right frame of mind to play despite interest from the defending champions.
“Mieno is still our player and we will not release him until we achieve our season’s target, which is to win the Premier League title.
“He is one of our key players. He has shown good attitude in training and we know he will fight for the team today,” added Awoko.
But for Gor Mahia coach Jose Marcelo, his side must turn in a much-improved performance from their 1-0 friendly match victory over low tier side Naivas on Thursday.
“Gor Mahia is a big club with huge expectations, so expect some elements of pressure to be involved. But we are ready for the match,” Marcelo said after the friendly.
Save for Brazilian Thiago Da Silva (Gor Mahia) and Hashim Sempala (Tusker) who are ineligible for the match due to delayed paperwork, both clubs are expected to field their other mid-season signings.
The KPL tie against the two sides at the same venue ended in crowd trouble.
It means the official handling today’s match will have to be extra vigilant.
The second leg of the semi-finals are scheduled for June 19.
