PALOS ON GIANT KILLING MISSION: Kisumu-based side seek to stop Gor’s pursuit of treble in GOtv tie

Ushuru FC's Obadia Ndege contests for the ball against Gor Mahia defender David Naftali battles for ball control against Khalid Aucho of Gor Mahia during their KPL encounter at City Stadium on August 12, 2015.[Photo:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

One of the surprise results of last season’s GOtv shield tournament was the elimination of Gor Mahia by Eldoret based GFE on penalties.

The Eldoret-based club became instant heroes after that result though they bowed out almost immediately after that shock victory.

Another David v Goliath fixture will be played out this afternoon when Gor Mahia host Kisumu-based Palos in the pre-quarter final match of the GOtv shield at Kasarani Stadium.

For Gor Mahia it is almost a repeat of what happened last season and assistant coach Bobby Ogolla has warned against looking down on their opponents.

“We are looking forward to this match and being a knock-out we understand how easy it is to be tossed out. For this reason, we are all taking it seriously and have to put our best foot forward,” he said.

Ogolla said the team remains determined to add to their league title another trophy.

“The possibility of winning another trophy remains high and we will take it when it comes our way.

The players have just resumed training after a two-week break, but this does not worry us as a good number of them have been with the national team Harambee Stars,” he added.

For victory, Gor Mahia will unleash their lethal forward line of Michael Olunga and Meddie Kagere.

Both players have been outstanding so far scoring crucial goals for the KPL champions.
For Palos coach Paul Agai, the team is determined to make history just like GFE did last year.

“It is a big match for most of our players and even though our opponents have a big name, we are all determined to get something from this encounter and there is a big possibility of this happening if we give it our best shot,” he said.

Elsewhere, AFC Leopards takes on Sofapaka at Nyayo Stadium in a rescheduled KPL fixture.

The match was earlier planned to be played two weeks ago, but was called off due to security concerns.

Meanwhile, Tusker coach Francis Kimanzi is having a rough ride in the 2015 domestic season with his team dumped out of the GOtv Shield at a time when the league race is all but closed after Gor Mahia bagged the third straight title, earlier on in September, adds Supersport.com.

The brewers were dumped out of the Shield competition on post-match penalties by Nzoia United and coach Kimanzi has played down the impact of the loss.

The Ruaraka based side’s hopes for silverware lie in the KPL Top 8 where they are set for very tough outings — a two legged tie against Gor Mahia in the semi-finals and Kimanzi states that they are ready to fight hard for the prize.

“I do not think it is unique for Nzoia to beat us in the Cup game; in such competitions there is no favourite and that is now behind us.