Who will stop Gor Mahia this season?

Gor Mahia FC forward Nicholas Kipkurui (L) celebrates with his captain Kenneth Muguna after scoring against Aigle Noir The Fighters from Burundi during their CAF Total Champions League 2019/20 match at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi on August 25, 2019 [Courtesy]

The new 2018/2019 Kenyan Premier League season is finally here.

Will it be full of surprises as hoped or will record champions Gor Mahia continue to rule the domestic league?

Will we see the likes of AFC Leopards, Bandari, Sofapaka, Tusker and KPL returnees Wazito give a relatively new-look K’Ogalo a run for their money or will they just flatter to deceive as others fight for relegation?

Though it appears the season will be bumpy following the exit of title sponsors SportPesa and lack of enough stadiums for Nairobi-based teams to stage their matches, squads seem to be ready for today’s kick-off in Narok and Machakos.

It is a season that will see Kisumu AllStars make their debut in the topflight football while new coaches including Gor Mahia’s Steven Pollack, Divaldo Alves (Sofapaka), Zedekiah Otieno (KCB), Collins Omondi (Nzoia Sugar), Sammy Omollo (Posta Rangers) and James Nandwa (Sony Sugar) will all be out to prove a point in the league.

With their resources, Wazito, who have done some good businesses in the transfer window, have been tipped as one of the title contenders as Leopards’ fans desperately pray for their team's turn-around.

And with the departure of joint topscorer, Umar Kasumba to Zambia’s Zesco United, the duo of Allan Wanga (Kakamega Homeboyz) and Enosh Ochieng (Ulinzi Stars) will once again hope to take the golden boot race to the wire.

But even as the league kicks off today with former champions Sofapaka entertaining Posta Rangers in Narok and Kariobangi Sharks battling Western Stima in Machakos, Gor are already plotting on how to lift their fourth consecutive title.

Though the 18-time champions lost three of their key players; captain Harun Shakava, Francis Kahata and Jacques Tuyisenge together with head coach Hassan Oktay, their recent 5-1 thrashing of Burundian side Aigle Noir in the Champions League return leg tie at Kasarani sent a signal to their rivals that they have no intentions of relinquishing the trophy.

The brilliant performances of new signings led by Tanzanian duo of winger Dickson Ambundo and goalkeeper David Mapigano alongside combative midfielder Tobias Otieno appears to have given new coach Steve Pollack and the entire Green Army fraternity some hope and confidence ahead of the new campaign.

They look to be developing a strong team for the future. Gor take on 11-time champions Tusker in a highly anticipated season opener in Kisumu tomorrow.

“I’m a man on a mission and that’s why I’m not feeling any pressure. Pressure is for tyres and not me. I’ve been in the game for a while and I’m capable of doing the job. I’m not here on holiday but to defend the league and win more trophies with Gor Mahia,” said Pollack.

“Of course, I’m very optimistic I will achieve a lot with this young squad. I don’t look at people’s passports but what they can deliver on the pitch," he added.

The British-Finnish born coach lifted his first title at Gor Mahia two weeks ago after guiding the club to a 1-0 victory over Bandari in the Super Cup.

Just like Gor, it will be interesting to see how Sofapaka will fair on after parting ways with a chunk of their dependable players in the offseason.