No time to smile for Gor: Sofapaka lie in wait for K’Ogalo in Narok today after loss to Rayon Sports

Gor Mahia FC's Francis Mustafa celebrate his goal against Rayon Sports in their fifth Group D match of the CAF Confederations Cup at Kasarani on Sunday August 19, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]?

League leaders need to hit back with victory over Batoto ba Mungu.

League champions Gor Mahia have no time to leak their wounds after the loss to Rayon Sports as the fixtures come thick and fast.

Just when K’Ogalo were hoping they can have a week off before meeting eternal rivals AFC Leopards in Mashemeji derby on Saturday, Sofapaka lie in wait today at Narok in a midweek Sportpesa Premier League clash.

After the loss to Rayon Sports on Sunday at Kasarani in a Confederations Cup tie, Gor Mahia players must swiftly turn their attention to league action as they look for five points which will ensure they will their 17th league title.

However, considering they went into the Rayon game needed a point which they did not get, they will have to approach the Sofapaka match with a lot of caution.

They will have to know that Batoto ba Mungu will not be in the mood for offerings as coach John Baraza will be happy to stop the champions and put them even under more pressure against Leopards on Saturday.

Even though Gor Mahia coach Dylan Kerr is expected to rotate his squad, he will be expecting that whoever is called upon to do duty in a K’Ogalo jersey will have to deliver.

And the Briton did not mince his words yesterday when he spoke to Standard Sports.

“I am demanding that the players that will be picked must go and win the match tomorrow (today).

“If they are not motivated by that alone then they don't deserve to put on a Gor Mahia jersey.  That’s the challenge I am throwing at them and will want answers.”

The coach, however, says it will not be easy after the loss to Rayon on Sunday, but he is hoping that his charges will be eager to hit back from the Confederations Cup disappointment.

On his part, Baraza says he is ready for Gor Mahia even though he appreciates the champions will be tough to beat, but they will strive to get all three points.

“We have prepared well and looking forward to a good game and hopefully victory. It will be a tough game, but my boys are equal to the task,” said the Batoto ba Mungu coach.

Apart from the task of trying to make his players forget Sunday’s loss, coach Kerr is also still faced with injury concerns as goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch is still out injured while Shaban Odhoji also picked up an injury on Sunday.

In attack Kerr will also miss the services of forwards Jacques Tuyisenge and Ephram Guikan.

For Baraza he will be hoping that former Ulinzi striker Stephen Waruru will come back haunt Gor Mahia.