- Gor have an eight point gap on top of the log
- They can go to 11 points with a win
- Nzoia are fighting relegation
Defending champions Gor Mahia will look to extend their gap on top of the FKF Premier League standings this weekend when they take on relegation fighting Nzoia Sugar at the Sudi Stadium in Bungoma.
It will be a battle between two extreme ends of the log, with Gor currently eight points ahead of second placed Tusker FC while Nzoia sit rock bottom, with a paltry 17 points, 10 out of safety.
Gor Mahia head coach Jonathan McKinstry says his side will be going out for revenge against Nzoia, having come from down to draw 2-2 when the two sides met in the first leg played in Kisumu.
“We have had two 45-minute periods this season where we were not quite at our level and one of them was the second half against Police FC and the other one was the first half against Nzoia where we came from a goal down to draw 2-2,”
“We are going in there confident and we will try to take revenge on them by taking all three points. It is always not easy playing against these sides fighting relegation but we have our plan well laid out,” the tactician said, speaking ahead of the game.
Gor travel to Nzoia with the possibility of extending their lead on top of the log to 11 points. They dropped two points last weekend in the 0-0 home draw with Kakamega Homeboyz, but it wasn’t much to worry about as both their title rivals, Tusker FC and Bandari, suffered defeat.
Gor well prepared for a win
Gor Mahia FC players during a training session. PHOTO/Gor
McKinstry says his Gor side has prepared well and is ready to go all out for a three-point performance.
“We have had a very good in training where the intensity, quality and aggression has been really good and we hope that we can continue with the same in the game,” the coach opined.
Nzoia come into the game with a lot of pressure on their shoulders, having lost three of their last five games. They suffered a massive 4-0 loss last weekend at the hands of Murang’a Seal and their fate now looks more than sealed.
Another defeat will mean they will have a mountain to climb with eight matches to go. They are 10 points adrift of safety and eight away from the play-off slot.
Coming up against a title chasing Gor will definitely not be a mean task.
Meanwhile, in Mombasa, Bandari, who might end Saturday at second place will be taking on Bidco United at the Mombasa Sports Club. The dockers suffered a 1-0 defeat to Ulinzi Stars away from home last weekend, and they are looking to bounce back.
They are on 43 points, same as second placed Tusker FC, but with an inferior goal difference.
Baraza confident Bandari will win
Bandari FC players celebrate a goal in a past match. PHOTO/Bandari FC
Head coach John Baraza believes the side can do their best and bounce back to winning ways especially playing at home.
“Last weekend we played really well but we were unfortunate to lose. We had chances to score but could not utilize them. This weekend we are at home and we have to get maximum points. We know we are always strong playing in our backyard,” the coach said.
“The boys have really trained well this week and I can see their hunger for maximum points. We are facing a tough match but I believe we will get the three points,” the tactician further added.
Bidco have been blowing hot and cold and have not won a single match since their 1-0 victory over Tusker FC on February 3. They have three losses and three draws since then, results that have seen them fall off the top half of the log.
In other fixtures lined up for Saturday, Kakamega Homeboyz play host to Kariobangi Sharks in Mumias, Nairobi City Stars play Murang’a Seal at the Police Sacco Stadium before hosts Police take on in the late fixture.
Sofapaka will meanwhile host Ulinzi Stars in Machakos.
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