KPL: League champions face Rangers in Sportpesa Shield tie at Kasarani today

Kenyan Premier League side Posta Rangers coach Sammy 'Pamzo' Omollo during a KPL match against Sofapaka at Narok Stadium on August 26. [Correspondent]

Pamzo can’t see Gor losing steam

Posta coach and his charges next on line to try and stop K’Ogalo.

Posta Rangers coach Sammy 'Pamzo' Omollo believes Gor Mahia are not going to slow down any time soon despite a congested fixture list.

Pamzo whose side face Gor Mahia in today’s SportPesa Shield round of 16 fixture at Kasarani insists the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions can only get better with more matches though he is positive of stopping them today.

“It is fallacy for people to imagine that the many fixtures in hand will somehow slow down Gor Mahia, but actually the opposite is happening. The more they play, the better they look and the more they win, the higher their confidence levels and so they will keep getting better,” he said.

However, the former Gor Mahia defender said his team was well prepared for today’s fixture and are keen to knock-out the record KPL champions.

“We are ready for them. I have asked my players to stand up and be counted by going toe to toe with them. It is in moments like this that they can stand up to be counted.”

The last time the two sides met Gor Mahia won 5-0 and that was during a KPL fixture played at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

Omollo says that the last result will not count for much and that his charges are now well prepared.

“It was not just our day as we had our best defender sent off early in the match and we were unable to recover. We have put that behind us and want to get to the next round of the tournament.”

Gor Mahia have been in fine form locally and are currently perched at the top of the log even after playing three matches less than their next opponent on the log. They lead the KPL standings with 52 points with Sofapaka second with 40 points.

The team will be buoyed by Sunday’s 2-1 win over arch-rivals AFC Leopards and should look to Jacques Tuyisenge and George Odhiambo for goals.

The KPL champions have a busy fixture this week as they have a CAF Confederations Cup fixture on Sunday against Yanga in Tanzania and coach Dylan Kerr may be forced to rest some of his regulars today.

Shield champions AFC Leopards play lower division side Mwatate United in the first match set to kick off at 2pm at the same venue.

Leopards are already out of contention for the league title and the shield remains their only hope for silverware.

On paper, it looks an easy fixture for Leopards given the calibre of the opposition but the Ingwe has played without confidence of late.

Mwatate United will be looking for a chance to cause an upset and so cannot be underrated at this level of the competition.

Football Kenya Federation says both matches will be shown live on Y254 channel.