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The Nairobian

GOR KEEN TO BOUNCE BACK: League champions start title defence against Chemelil Sugar today

Football

By Gilbert Wandera | Feb 17, 2016

Gor Mahia's Haron Shakava, left, Khalid Aucho and Sibomana Abouba Ronald Rajnonarivelo during CAF Champions League Club Tournament with Madagascar's CNAPS at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday, Feb 2016. PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD.

Sportpesa Premier League (SPL) champions Gor Mahia begin their title defence today with a match against Chemelil Sugar at Moi Stadium, Kisumu.

It has not been a good start to the season for Gor Mahia after losing two matches in a row.

First, they went down 1-0 to Bandari in the Super Cup match on February 6 before losing 2-1 to CNaPS of Madagascar in last Saturday’s CAF Champions League match.

The situation has raised temperatures at Gor Mahia who cannot afford another slip up today and will therefore need to be at their best to beat Chemelil Sugar.

Coach Frank Nuttall has admitted that it will not be an easy match against the sugar millers on the back of poor results.

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“We expect a tough season opener, but hope to pick some positive results from it,” he said.

The Scot also admitted that the team is missing Meddie Kagere and Michael Olunga who left Gor this season. He said their absence was affecting the team as they have found it hard to score goals.

“The two scored 50 goals last season between them and this is not an easy thing to do,” he said.

Former Nkana Red Devils of Zambia forward Jacob Keli who was signed to boost Gor Mahia’s scoring opportunities has not been lucky yet failing to score in two matches and should be motivated to open his account today.

At the back, Abouba Sibomana, Karim Nizigiyimana and Godfrey Walusimbi are expected to be back to full fitness. The trio looked off the pace against CNaPS perhaps after a long layoff.

Chemelil had a bad season last year but will be keen to start well. New coach Francis Baraza will be hoping to upset the champions and build confidence that will keep his side competitive.

Elsewhere, in the wake of poor performance by Kenyan clubs at the continental level, former international Boniface Ambani has renewed calls to change the football calendar.

Ambani who played for Yanga and a number of top local clubs insisted that unless this is done, local clubs will continue to struggle at the continental level with even poor results in future.

Gor Mahia lost 2-1 to CNaPS of Madagascar in the first leg of their preliminary Champions League while Bandari went down 2-0 to St Eloi Lupopo of the Democratic Republic of Congo in a Confederations Cup fixture.

Commenting on the results, Ambani pointed out that both teams did not look prepared. He attributes this to the current football calendar, which runs from February to November.