FKF-PL: ‘Zico’ under pressure as Gor Mahia host Ulinzi
Gor Mahia's Rooney Omondi (right) tussles for the ball with David Okoth of Kenya Police during their Football Kenya Federation match at Police Stadium on February 3,2024.
What you need to know:
- Club Secretary General Sam Ochola spoke out Tuesday, urging fans to avoid violence and hooliganism, stressing that the club will only hire a new coach next year.
- “The fans should be patient with Zico and avoid acts of hooliganism. We can only have a new coach next year; we have received applications, and we shall start scrutinising them before making a decision,” Ochola said.
Acting Gor Mahia coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno will be walking a thin line Wednesday when the defending champions host Ulinzi Stars in a rescheduled Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) match at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos from 4pm.
In the earlier fixture (1pm)at the same venue, red-hot Kenya Police will look to maintain their momentum under new coach Etienne Ndayiragije when they face relegation-threatened FC Talanta.
Otieno has managed to escape the wrath of fans in his last three matches, which he has failed to win. On Saturday, K’Ogalo lost 1-0 to Kenya Police at the SportPesa Arena in Murang’a County.
However, the pressure is mounting, and a section of the club’s supporters is already calling for the disbanding of the current technical bench and the appointment of a new coach. The club lies in an unusual eighth position with 18 points from 12 matches.
Next year
Gor Mahia’s last victory was on December 3, a narrow 3-2 win over FC Talanta. Since Otieno took over on November 13 after the sacking of Brazilian coach Leonardo Neiva, he has overseen six matches, winning three, losing twice, and drawing once.
Club Secretary General Sam Ochola spoke out Tuesday, urging fans to avoid violence and hooliganism, stressing that the club will only hire a new coach next year.
“The fans should be patient with Zico and avoid acts of hooliganism. We can only have a new coach next year; we have received applications, and we shall start scrutinising them before making a decision,” Ochola said.
Meanwhile, Ulinzi Stars are also enduring a tough season, sitting second-last on the log with just 13 points from 13 matches. The soldiers have only won two games this season— a 2-0 victory over AFC Leopards on November 27, and a 2-1 win over Posta Rangers on October 27.
The four-time champions have not defeated Gor Mahia in their last six encounters, with their last win over K'Ogalo coming on November 26, 2021.
In contrast, Kenya Police has been enjoying a resurgence under Burundian coach Etienne Ndayiragije, who was appointed on November 29 when the team was at the bottom of the table.
Since then, the law enforcers have been on an impressive run, beating Nairobi City Stars 3-1 on December 4, securing a 1-0 victory over Mara Sugar on December 7, and thrashing Bidco United 3-0 last week.
The win against Gor Mahia pushed Kenya Police up to fourth on the log, with 20 points from 12 matches, and two games in hand. A win against FC Talanta could see them leapfrog into third place. KCB lead the log table with 24 points, with Tusker second also on similar points.
FC Talanta has only managed to beat Kenya Police once in their five encounters, and they will be hoping for an upset as they continue to fight against relegation.
