Gor’s fixture agony: K’Ogalo have to play 9 matches in one month

A Gor Mahia fan prays during the penalty shot out against AFC Leopards during the Mashemeji derby at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru on May 1,2018.Photo:Kipsang Joseph/Standard

Kenyan champions face a nightmarish schedule thanks to their assault on titles in several fronts.

SportPesa Premier League champions Gor Mahia will pay the price for their continued absence from the local scene as they face a record nine matches this month.

Seven KPL matches await Gor Mahia together with two Confederations Cup fixtures.

Gor Mahia kicks off a busy month against Kariobangi Sharks in Kisumu this afternoon.

Despite being away for long, the Kenyan champions have done a lot to ensure they are safely on the way to winning another title as they enjoy a 12-point lead at the top of the log despite having played four matches less than the rest.

Gor Mahia have enjoyed a long winning run especially at home and it will be hard to see the team dropping points despite a congested fixture.

Coach Dylan Kerr believes they are upto the task and insists the most important thing will be to keep the players mentally prepared.

Biggest task

“We have to be very cautious from now on and ensure we do not pick up any injuries. A match every three days is something I believe we can keep up but the most important thing is to ensure our players are mentally prepared,” he said.

He added: “It is something we can cope with and the biggest task is to keep the players fresh and active along the way.”

With Gor Mahia assured of retaining the KPL title should they win all their matches this month, Kerr insists that they are not looking that far off and will concentrate on one match at a time.

“Right now we are not thinking about the title because we are taking one match at a time,” he said.

Gor Mahia’s goal quest will no doubt be led by George Odhiambo and Jacques Tuyisenge, who have enjoyed a great partnership upfront.

Kariobangi Sharks go into this match on the back of a  3-0 loss at the hands of Bandari in Mombasa last Saturday.

Key players

Despite coming into the league just last season, Kariobangi Sharks finished an impressive third position but have not shown the same hunger and determination mostly due to the fact that they lost a number of key players.

But the team associated with Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa are known to rise to the occasion when the situation demands and could as well spoil the party for Gor Mahia.

After playing Kariobangi Sharks today, Gor Mahia will take on resurgent Nakumatt on Saturday in Nairobi on Saturday and four days later take on Bandari in Mombasa.

Gor Mahia have just returned home from taking part in a regional tournament played in Tanzania where they finished in third position.