Gor corner feeling the heat, leaders KCB aim to stay top
Gor Mahia head coach Brazilina Leonardo Neiva and his assistant Zedekiah Otieno react at the touchline in a previous match. Gor play Muranga Seal in an FKF Premier League match in Machakos today.
What you need to know:
- K’Ogalo fans were irked by their loss to Nairobi City Stars, and vented their anger on Neiva who had to be rushed to the dressing room by police and stewards.
- Fans also took issue with the players saying most of them were participating in unsanctioned local tournaments leading to them turning up for league match days exhausted.
Gor Mahia coach Leonardo Neiva has read riot act to his players ahead of their clash with Murang’a Seal today after a shock 2-1 loss to Nairobi City in their midweek Football Kenya Federation Premier League fixture.
Leaders KCB look to stretch their unbeaten run, when they play 2008 champions Mathare United at the Dandora Stadium in Nairobi tomorrow.
Another big contest will see Ulinzi Stars, four-time league winners host 12-time champions AFC Leopards at the Kinoru Stadium in Meru County.
Shabana, whose coach Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo has gone AWOL, will be at their Gusii Stadium base against resurgent Nairobi City Stars.
Focus will be on the overused Kenyatta Stadium where stuttering Gor will face-off with Murang’a Seal.
The demanding Gor Mahia fans have warned their players: win, or else...
K’Ogalo fans were irked by their loss to Nairobi City Stars, and vented their anger on Neiva who had to be rushed to the dressing room by police and stewards.
Fans also took issue with the players saying most of them were participating in unsanctioned local tournaments leading to them turning up for league match days exhausted.
Gor Mahia captain Philemon Otieno asked the fans for forgiveness after the loss to a 10-man City Stars, who were languishing at the bottom of the table before the game.
In the charged meeting with players, Neiva, a no-nonsense coach, made it clear to the players that they have to give their all to the team, be respectful and adhere to their contractual obligation or leave.
“The coach was very clear that he wouldn’t condone indiscipline amongst us and that only those who work hard will be given a chance to play on merit. He made it clear that he wouldn’t want to be blamed by the fans yet it is his players who are letting him down,” said one of the players at the club who wished not to be named.
“Those who have been advocating for morning training sessions even when the coach says we train in the evening also asked for forgiveness after acknowledging they have been doing so to get time to participate in unsanctioned local tournaments,” the player added.
The loss was the first for Gor in the league this season.
The champions have seven points from four matches.
Neiva, who took over on July 1, has challenged the players to start a new path by beating Murang’a Seal to restore the confidence of the fans.
Last season Gor and Seal played out a barren draw at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani (MISC) on November 11 in a game marred by mass brawls which forced police to intervene.
In the second leg on May 5, Gor won 3-1.
K’Ogalo will be without Sylvester Owino, Austin Odhiambo and Rooney Onyango who are with Harambee Stars for the 2024 Chan Qualifiers game against South Sudan in Uganda.
Seal have played six matches and have eight points that places them seventh on the FKF-PL log.
Red hot striker Francis Kahiro will be missed by KCB against Mathare United as he is on assignment with the Harambee Stars in Kampala.
Kahiro leads the goal scorers’ chart with five goals from seven matches.
The bankers are on top on 17 points, five above second placed Kariobangi Sharks.
Mathare will be without captain Elli Asieche, evergreen Kevin Kimani, Eric Mulu and custodian Brian Ouru all who have been suspended for two weeks for playing in an sanctioned tournament.
The bankers under the tutelage of Patrick Odhiambo will fancy their chances against a team they have not lost to in eight matches.
The last time the Slum Boys bagged maximum points against the bankers was on January 2, 2019.
AFC Leopards’ meetings with Ulinzi have always been explosive and hard to predict.
Leopards have also suspended Victor Omune, Kennedy Owino and Julius Masaba for three weeks and without pay for playing in a tournament in October without the knowledge of the club.
Shabana’s troubles will be compounded if they lose to Nairobi City Stars as they are at the bottom of the league with a paltry two points.
They are the only team in the 18-club table yet to record a victory this season.
