Gor Mahia coach McKinstry optimistic they can down Tusker

• Gor Mahia are one point behind Tusker
• A win will take them two points clear on top
• They won the first leg 2-1 at the Kasarani Stadium

Gor Mahia head coach Jonathan McKinstry is optimistic that his side has what it takes to down Tusker FC when the two sides clash in a crucial FKF Premier League fixture at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.

K’Ogalo trail Tusker by a single point on the top of the standings with four rounds of matches left, and victory on Sunday will be very crucial in their bid to wrestle back the title from the brewers.

A win will take Gor two points clear on top while defeat will be detrimental, as it will see Tusker move four points clear with three matches remaining.

“This is definitely going to be a tough match. Tusker is one of those kinds of ‘no-thrill’ teams which know what they are trying to do and are steadfast in doing it well. With the way they play, we need to be at our best to be able to win the game,” noted the Irishman.

Gor Mahia won the first leg 2-1 at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani in a controversial match, with Benson Omalla scoring a late penalty. Shami Kibwana’s freekick had cancelled out Sydney Wahongo’s goal on the half hour mark, which was the point of controversy.

Expect difference in second leg 

Tusker’s Deo Ojok battles for the ball with Gor Mahia’s Dennis Ng’ang’a

But, the coach knows he will expect a different side in the second leg, Tusker having been on a good winning run.

“They have added some players in mid-season like Levin (Odhiambo) the left back who is really talented, they also have Ojok (Deogratious) who is back playing regularly but in terms of their set up and structure, there’s not so much difference from the first leg,” the tactician said.

Compared to Tusker, Gor have had a longer period of rest from their last match, with Tusker having had to play last weekend in the FKF Cup, a tough duel that they won 1-0.

McKinstry says he gave his players a few days of rest to ensure they are ready for the final charge of the season, while he is also pleased that some who had injuries are back fully fit.

Gor’s last match was in the Mashemeji Derby, a game they lost 2-1 to their arch rivals AFC Leopards but the coach believes they displayed a good game and the result did not reflect their actual performance on the pitch.

Played really well 

Action between Gor Mahia and Posta Rangers

“We played really really well and possibly the result did not show that. Someone cannot come and say we played badly in that game though we lost. It has been the story of our season in crucial matches. We play really well but in some cases we don’t get a result,” noted the coach.

Gor will hope to come off better, and they will once again look towards the goal scoring form of Benson Omalla who has 25 goals this season. Omalla is looking to become the highest scoring striker in the new age of the Premier League, and he will look to smash in more against the brewers.