Gor Mahia will attack Thika from onset, says club legend Ogolla

Gor Mahia players celebrate a goal in a past Kenyan Premier League match. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Ogolla believes that getting an early goal will help his side complete a double over Tim Brytte’s charges whom they beat 2-0 in the reverse fixture.
  • AFC Leopards will collide with Kenya Commercial Bank, while Ulinzi Stars will trade swords with Tusker at the Afraha Stadium.

Gor Mahia deputy coach John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla has called on his boys to stick to their attacking system when they tackle a tricky Thika United side in a Kenyan Premier League match at the Nairobi City Stadium on Wednesday.

Thika have in the recent past proved to be a thorn in the flesh for K’Ogalo, and the silver-haired club legend wants his charges to play on the front gear and pressurise the opposition from the first minute.

Ogolla believes that getting an early goal will help his side complete a double over Tim Brytte’s charges whom they beat 2-0 in the reverse fixture. “Our aim is always to attack, and my players have always kept the opponents at their place,” said.

Lifting the lid on the tactics that have seen them keep the best defensive record in the league, conceding just 7 goals in 16 appearances, Ogolla, christened “the six million dollar man” by the club faithful said: “Whenever we surge forward to attack, we create room for the defenders to catch their breath, and this means they are fresh and full of gas to protect our territory when invaded.”

“It (Thika game) is a match we have always had trouble with, but we won in the first leg, and we want to do so tomorrow (Wednesday),” he said of the team that crushed their 2012 league title ambitions.

“The second leg is always tricky. The boys are from a recess, and from the training, they are coming back to their best form. If we can start well and score early goals, it will be good for us.”

FULL-BACKS PRAISED

The Gor Mahia legend reserved special praise for the club’s full backs Karim Nizigiyamana and Abouba Sibomana who have been very phenomenal for the team.

“Our full backs have really helped our course this season. They have helped in opening the defences because they attack from wide areas. They also deliver quality crosses and the strikers have been sharp enough to convert,” he said of the duo acquired from Rwandan giants Rayon Sports in January.

A massive 17 points separate the two sides but Thika head coach Brytte has the advantage of a fully fit squad to choose from.

Across town at the Nyayo National Stadium, AFC Leopards will collide with Kenya Commercial Bank, while Ulinzi Stars welcome Tusker at the Afraha Stadium.

FIXTURES (Kick off 3pm unless otherwise stated)

Nakuru All Stars v City Stars (2pm, Afraha), Muhoroni Youth v Sony Sugar( Muhoroni), Western Stima v Mathare United (Kisumu), Bandari v Ushuru (Mombasa), AFC Leopards v KCB, (6pm, Nyayo) Gor Mahia v Thika United ( 4pm, City Stadium), Ulinzi Stars v Tusker (4.15pm, Afraha)