Some fans may think the recent poor form by Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards will affect the atmosphere in today’s city derby but they are wrong because, in a match of this nature, the atmosphere is always charged regardless of form and position teams on the log.
One week after AFC Leopards went down 2-1 to a middle table team (City Stars) at City stadium, their arch-rivals Gor Mahia FC are boldly standing on their way as they struggle to find their winning formula to stay afloat or break through into top five on the KPL log.
AFC Leopards are 12th on the log with 11 points from 10 matches, which, according to football pundits and fans, is a poor show compared to last season when they started the league with a top gear.
Gor, on the other side, are fourth on the KPL standings with 14 points from seven matches. Having played three matches fewer than their today’s opponents,K’Ogalo are not doing badly compared to how they started their campaign last season where they managed just one win in their first five matches.
It may be termed as the battle of white coaches on Kenyan soil as the two sides are the only KPL teams being coached by foreign coaches who are whites.
Gor coach, Zdravko Logarusic, will not be facing AFC Leopards for the first time as opposed to the new coach at the den coach Luc Eymael.
Two football brains will be on show as the two gentlemen will exhibit their might in coaching areas and how they can build their potential empires, which will take quite a coup to halt. Logarusic will be looking to shuffle his pack after resting most of his key players against Tusker in top 8 clash on Wednesday where Gor went down by a solitary goal.
AFC’ coach, Eymael has set one or two changes in the team that lost to City Stars last weekend. In his own words, Leopards’ coach said he is not under pressure at all.
“To me, it will be just like any other match and we always prepare well for every game. I respect my opponents. They are a good side and they have been together for some times which makes them understand each other well,” he said.
Probable line up:
AFC – Starting XI: Martin Musalia, Jonas Nahimana, Edwin Wafula, Anthony Kimani, Jackson Saleh, Edwin Seda, Patilla Omotto , Martin Imbalambala, Paul Were, Noah Wafula, Mike Barasa.
Subs: Patrick Matasi, Noah Abich, Bernard Mang’oli, Obadiah Ndege, Abbas Kiwaalabye, Charles Okwemba, Allan Wanga
Gor – Fredrick Onyango, David Owino, Donald Mosoti, Israel Emuge, Chris Wekesa, Anthony Akumu, Joseph Njuguna, Moses Odhiambo, Kevin Omondi, Dan Sserunkuma, Rama Salim.
Subs: Ivo Mapunda, Musa Mohamed, Victo Abondo, Edwin Lavatsa, Abbey Natti, David Otieno, Moses otieno.
Match officials : FIFA referee Davies Omweno from Nakuru will be the man at the centre. Omweno will be assisted by Aden Marwa and Peter Kiereini. The fourth official will be Sylvester Kirwa while the match commissioner will be Juma Kalume.
By TONY OWORI, The Standard
