Will Tusker bottle Gor Mahia?

Will Gor Mahia end the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) first leg unbeaten?

This will be the big question as the KPL champions host Tusker in Kisumu this afternoon in a weekend that also marks the end of the first leg.

Although the two sides are separated by 14 points, there is a lot going into this crunch match that will preceded by Western Stima v Ushuru encounter. Therefore, expect either unbeaten record to be maintained or broken.

The 14-time KPL champions have been unstoppable against most of their opponents exhibiting exciting play always accompanied by the much needed goals.

However, Tusker provide an enticing opponent for Gor Mahia and one they would love to edge out as they end the first leg in style.

That Gor will be playing before their die-hard fans and that a win will ensure they extend their lead at the top of the log with an impressive 39 points will give Tusker more motivation.

This means Gor Mahia will need to win just nine matches in the second leg to emerge champions for the third year in a row.

And for the first time since their exit from Ruaraka, Gor’s quintet of Victor Abondo, Boniface Oluoch, Khalid Aucho, Michael Olunga and Jerry Santo will be facing their former employers.

After being rejected by the brewers together with hard talking midfielder Collins Okoth, they have become the cornerstones at K’Ogalo.

Abondo is the league’s leading scorer with nine goals, two ahead of Olunga while Oluoch has not missed a game since crossing over to Gor, registering nine consecutive clean sheets.

Although Olunga expects a tough clash, he says that they are motivated by their unbeaten run.

“It will be tough, every team has equal chance to win but it will depend with who takes their chances. I believe each team will have a moment but hope to give good account of ourselves,” Olunga said.

But despite a bad run of results, the sixth-placed Tusker have the necessary experience to stop Gor Mahia.

Coach Francis Kimani will bank on the likes of Kevin Kimani, James Situma, Osborne Monday and Jesse Were, to narrow the gap at the top.

“It is just a game like any other. We are going to Kisumu knowing it is going to be a tough match, but we are ready for it,” said Kimanzi.

Tomorrow, AFC Leopards will be seeking to end the first leg on a high as they host perennial rivals Sofapaka at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Both clubs are facing a serious financial crisis with Leopards coach Zradvko Logarusic admitting that things are getting difficult with each passing day.

“It is very difficult to motivate a team whose players have not been paid for four months and that is our story. Nothing much has changed especially after the new committee took over.

“There is a big stand-off between the old and new officials and it is having a negative impact on the team. It has created confusion in the playing unit and we are having to deal with it,” he said.

Despite the off pitch troubles, Logarusic believes they can still do well against their opponents who are enjoying a good run of results. “We have full respect for Sofapaka. Their performance on the pitch says everything about their form,” he said.