K’Ogalo coach not concerned by financial muscle of league’s new boys

Gor Mahia's Coach Steven Polack during KPL match against Mathare United at Kenyatta Stadium on Wednesday Oct 6, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Gor Mahia coach Steven Polack is confident his side will bounce back when they visit moneybags Wazito at Kenyatta Stadium today as the Kenyan Premier League resumes.

The defending champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Posta Rangers during last week’s rescheduled match, but Polack, who came back from holiday insists they will be going for a win to consolidate their lead at the top.

Polack said he was not worried about Wazito’s financial muscle even as the champions continue to struggle after Sportpesa pulled out its sponsorship.

“Whenever the so called small teams play against Gor Mahia, they tend to raise the bar trying to stop us and I believe Wazito will be doing the same. Wazito have the money, but that won’t count because our goal is to win the match and collect maximum points,” said Polack.

The record Kenyan champions will be without the services of strikers Francis Afriye and Yikpe Gnamien who ditched the club last month, but Polack who admitted that it was a big loss to the club said he was satisfied with the players at his disposal.

“Yikpe and Afriye played very integral parts in our squad and it is sad they left.

“That doesn’t mean we are weak, Gor is a bigger club and I am happy with the current squad whom I believe will give it all for the club,” he added.

At the same ground, Sofapaka will entertain troubled Kariobangi Sharks in the early kick off with Sharks who are a point above the relegation zone looking to climb up the table.

In Kisumu, Tusker will seek to maintain their grip on leaders K’Ogalo when they face relegation-threatened Chemelil Sugar who are yet to win a match.

The brewers are currently a point behind Gor on 28 points and Robert Matano is hoping for a win to keep tabs on the leaders.

“The league is still wide open and I believe if we continue winning matches we can catch up with them.

“They have two matches in hand which means the gap can be breached and anything can happen. Therefore, we are going for a win in Muhoroni,” Matano said.

Mathare United will also be aiming to make it two wins in a row when they play sixth-placed KCB at Kasarani as fourth place Kakamega Homeboyz entertain relegation-threatened Kisumu All-Stars at Bukhungu Stadium.

Tomorrow, AFC Leopards who are yet to appoint a new head coach after the exit of Casa Mbungo will be aiming to pick from where they left last year when they host Zoo Kericho as Ulinzi Stars play wounded Posta Rangers.