Gor Mahia shake off holiday rust: K’ogalo tune up form ahead of Africa Club Championships

Gor Mahia FC's Meddie Kagere (with ball) and his team mates during training at Camp Toyoyo on Jan 5, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

16-time KPL champions entertains Uganda’s KCCA at Afraha Stadium this afternoon.

Kenyan Premier League Champions Gor Mahia take on Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) of Uganda in an international friendly at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru this afternoon.

The match, crucial to the two teams in their preparations for Africa Club Champions, provides Gor a precise avenue to test their new signings ahead of the new season that kicks off on February 2.

Gor have brought on board Tusker duo of attacking midfielder Humphrey Mieno and defenders Cersidy Lumumba from Kakamega Homeboyz, Charles Momanyi from Western Stima, international winger Samuel Onyango from Ulinzi Stars and Ivorian Ephrem Guikan.

This is after losing long serving international defender Musa Mohammed and attacking international midfielder Kenneth Muguna who are poised to join Tirana Sports Club of Albania coached by former Gor Mahia tactician Jose Macelo Ferreirra Ze Maria.

Striker Simon Ndirangu, who has been benched at K’ogalo has joined Kakamega Homeboyz on loan for a year.

Gor Mahia commences their local league assignments with a match against Nakumatt at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos before shifting their focus to the African Club Champions.

In the African Club Champions contest, Gor begin their continental quest in the preliminary stage clash against Equatorial Guinea champions Leones Vegetarianos next month.

The match against KCCA is expected to kickoff at 3pm and the Ugandans were scheduled to arrive in the town by last evening.

Afraha Stadium Manager Didimus Munialo confirmed the pitch was in good condition for the encounter and the premier league matches.

“We are ready to host domestic league matches and any other international matches lined up the stadium,” said Munialo.

Gor Mahia are scheduled to play three key matches before the season kicks off and the match against the Ugandans will be their first encounter before meeting GOtv champions AFC Leopards in the Super Cup, which turns out as the season’s curtain raiser.