Gor take on Chemelil at Afraha
PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | FILE Gor Mahia coach Zdravko Logarusic.
What you need to know:
- Nakuru not a good hunting ground for Logarusic after losing two games in the town
Gor Mahia coach Zdravko Logarusic hates the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru. Twice in his four-month reign at the club, he has tasted defeat there.
On Sunday, he will be returning to the same venue as his charges tackle Chemelil Sugar in a Premier League match.
“I hate Nakuru. I have lost twice there. I hope this time it will be different,” he said on Friday referring to the 1-0 losses to Oserian and Ulinzi in the first leg.
Gor have performed well in their last five games, winning four and drawing once, but have been poor travellers this season winning only twice - against Thika United on the opening day of the season and against Western Stima three weeks ago.
But the Croat, who has changed almost half of the squad, has brought in something special to the squad - a winning mentality that lacked at the club when he arrived. Gor beat Kenya Commercial Bank 3-1 last weekend and have now scored ten goals in six games, an impressive return.
Lethal striker
He has turned Rama Salim - who was rarely used by the previous coach - into a master destroyer and brought in Dan Sserunkuma who has proved a lethal striker. He has also changed the midfield by firing Collins Okoth “Gatusso” and bringing in Joseph Njuguna and Nick Auma from Rangers and built the confidence of teenager Anthony Akumu.
However, his biggest headache remains the defence, where Ugandan Ivan Anguyo and Donald Mosoti have been slow at reacting, though they have only conceded four times in the last five matches.
“I have watched Chemelil twice and I think they are a good team. But I have some distaste on the ground we are going to play. I hope this time it will be third time lucky,” Logarusic said.
A win will see Gor remain in the sixth position but with 29 points.
If Chemelil win, they will dislodge the 12 time champions.
Immediate former champions Ulinzi Stars meanwhile hope to continue their charge towards the top of the league as they host Western Stima in Nakuru on Saturday.
Just like Gor, the soldiers have won four of their last five games and after a slow start, they now lie fourth with 30 points.
Fixtures
Saturday: Ulinzi Stars vs Western Stima (Afraha)
Sunday: Chemelil Sugar vs Gor Mahia (Afraha), Thika United vs Oserian (Thika), Karuturi Sports vs Sony Sugar (Oserian), KCB vs Muhoroni Youth (City).
