Gor face Bandari test in Super Cup

Gor Mahia Kenneth Muguna against Nasr Athletic Hussein Dey from Algeria during their CAF Confederation cup group D match at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday 24/02/19[Boniface Okendo,Standard]

Newly appointed Gor Mahia captain Kenneth Muguna feels the increased responsibility of wearing the armband will not affect his performance on the pitch in the upcoming 2019/2020 Kenyan Premier League season.

The former Player of the Year will be wearing the armband for the second time today since replacing Harun Shakava when the record Kenyan Champions battle FKF Shield winners Bandari in KPL Super Cup tie at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos. The match will kick off at 4.15pm.

The Kenyan international made his debut as K’Ogalo captain last weekend in their first leg preliminary round CAF Champions League barren draw away to Burundi Aigle Noir CS.

Though Muguna has a lot of pressure and responsibility ahead of the season’s curtain raiser, the former Western Stima man looks more than ready to push his side deeper and stage good shows.

“Of course this armband comes with a lot of expectations, but for me I feel no pressure. In fact, it is the opposite. I’m really motivated and ready to contribute more to the team through this position,” Muguna said.

“I just need to be myself, play my game and lead the team. Certainly, my personality won’t change at all. By the way, it is not about being a captain, but what we are going to achieve as a team. Just like before, I will continue pushing myself and teammates as we hope to win more trophies.”

But having lost a number of their key players led by Shakava, Jacques Tuyisenge and Francis Kahata in the recent transfer window, Muguna has challenged their new signings to show character, starting today against Bandari.

“It is still too early to talk about the new season, but after making many signings we know most teams are plotting on how to stop us from winning the title for the fourth season in a row.

“But that cannot stop us from achieving our target. We are all motivated ahead of today’s match because it’s like a final with a lot at stake. The ultimate prize is to start the season on a high note by winning the trophy.

“Unlike Bandari, we’ve been not training together for long but we desperately need this win today to boost our confidence ahead of the upcoming matches.”

Having drawn in their opening legs of the CAF competitions, both teams will use today’s encounter to prepare for next weekend’s crunch return leg matches in Nairobi and Khartoum.

While Bandari will be in Sudan to battle with Al Ahly Shendi on Saturday, K”ogalo will be entertaining the Burundians at Kasarani on Sunday.