Bidco United vow to fry Gor Mahia

Posta Rangers’ Cavin Odongo (right) and Stephen Waruru of Bidco United FC during FKF Premier League at Kasarani Annex on Wednesday, Feb 3, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard

Bidco United coach Anthony Akhulia says he has plans to deliver another blow to struggling Gor Mahia when the two sides collide in Monday’s FKF Premier League match at Kasarani Annex.

While the newcomers appear to have turned around their fortunes after a poor start to the season, the record Kenyan champions have been blowing hot and cold with their performance curtailed by match-fixing allegations.

K’Ogalo suffered a 1-0 defeat to 10-man Posta Rangers ahead of the one-week break, their sixth of the season, for them to remain eighth on the log with 19 points three behind seventh-placed Bidco.

And with the Thika-based outfit having silenced league leaders Tusker 2-1 before holding former champions Sofapaka to a barren draw to take their unbeaten run to five games, Akhulia is relishing the chance to play against the Kenyan giants.

Despite enjoying a fine run of form, the tactician is still wary of the threat posed by Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto’s men.

“Whether Gor Mahia are struggling or not, the fact remains that they are the champions. They are a big team with quality players and that’s why we don’t expect them to lose three consecutive matches,” Akhulia said.

“Of course there is a lot at stake, but we are well prepared and determined to get positive results on Monday.”

Just like Bidco United, AFC Leopards will be out to pile more misery on relegation-threatened Vihiga United in Mumias today as Wazito seek to bounce back from the 1-0 defeat to Western Stima against a resurgent Bandari at Kasarani Annex.

Captain Posta Rangers FC Osman Suleiman (left) dribles the ball past Gor Mahia players during an FKF Premier League match at Kasarani Annex on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

But it will not be easy for Francis Kimanzi’s side as Bandari coach Andre Casa Mbungo and midfielder William Wadri are both expected to draw motivation from February Coach and Player of the month awards respectively.

And a win for the joint-third placed AFC Leopards (28) will see them narrow the gap on league leaders Tusker to four points.

However, that will depend with today’s result between the brewers and Nairobi City Stars at Utalii Grounds.

Though City Stars will miss midfielder Peter Opiyo, the signing of striker Nicholas Kipkirui is expected to give them a huge boost.

At the same time Mathare United’s woeful show in the league continued yesterday after losing 2-0 to Posta Rangers at Kasarani.

Elsewhere, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny have both been included in Egypt’s 28-man squad to face Kenya.