NAIROBI, Kenya, October 16 – Mathare United have warned champions and leaders Gor Mahia to expect a difficult encounter when they lock horns Sunday as the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) enters its home stretch with four matches to go.
The league resumes after an international break as K’Ogalo on 51 points seeking three victories to defend the title starting with a double against the 2008 champions whom they silenced 1-0 in the first leg.
Speaking to Capital Sport Thursday after training in Nairobi, Mathare head coach Stanley Okumbi said they were no pushovers and they will be going for maximum points that will see them climb to seventh on 36.
“We are looking forward for Sunday’s game that will be tough and interesting because each team is looking for a win so the match will be very tactical.
“Gor are looking for points to increase their chances of retaining the league while we are looking to finish above top eight,” Okumbi underscored.
Mathare have no injury concerns ahead of the clash and Okumbi says his charges are ready to put their lives on the line to ensure they bounce back from a 1-0 loss to title challengers Tusker.
“We need to forget the past and focus on our match against Gor which is must win. In the first leg, my boys played very well despite losing 1-0. We got chances but failed to utilize so the most important thing is to convert and I’m sure we will create many.
“I’m focusing on the strengths of my team and there is no easy team so we want to finish with Gor first then plan for Sony Sugar,” the coach added.
Okumbi a former national team under-20 tactician was happy with the team’s performance so far this season, saying they had improved compared to last year.
“If we could have converted our chances we would be in a good position. I have been tactically good against all the teams but we fail to score. I’m sure we can improve and do better that that.”
A loss for the champions at their Nairobi’s City Stadium home ground will dent their title ambitions.
Gor will miss right-back Musa Mohammed for accumulating five yellow cards while talisman Dan Sserunkuma will be available for selection after seeing his side succumb to a 1-0 away loss to Togo in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.