Okoth fired up for Leopards derby
Gor Mahia’s Collins Okoth (left) vies with Thika United’s Joseph Kuria during a past Kenyan Premier League match at the Thika Stadium.
What you need to know:
- We are Gor Mahia and we fear no one; we are ready for battle, says K’Ogalo strongman ahead of AFC tie
Collins “Gatusso” Okoth knows what it means to play against and beat AFC Leopards.
He has scored in one of the derbies, the ill-fated October 23, 2010 Kenya derby which Gor Mahia won by a solitary goal, Okoth’s spot kick after George “Blackberry” Odhiambo was upended in the box but that win was also marred by the death of seven fans in a stampede at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Now Okoth, one of the fiercest ball winners in the Kenyan Premier League, has warned Leopards that their good run in the first five games of the season will count for nothing when the two sides face off on Sunday at Nyayo.
“Let’s accept it, AFC Leopards have started the season well, winning four of their five games, but that should not necessarily make them favourites against us. We are going into the match as equals, if not favourites,” said Okoth.
Focus on derby
“We have not had a good start in the league. We had out distractions, especially with the CAF Confederations Cup matches against Mozambique’s Ferroviaro.
That is now behind us and we have now shifted all our efforts and energies to the KPL and Leopards should be warned we are back.”
Okoth has played in all the matches involving the two clubs since joining Gor Mahia in 2010. He was influential in Gor’s 3-1 win over Ingwe in the first leg last season.
In the encounter, K’Ogalo totally dominated Ingwe with Wycliffe Ochomo, with Demonde Selenga and Duncan Makori scoring the goals before Mike Baraza pulled one back for Leopards.
But in the return leg, Leopards were in a different class, whitewashing Gor 3-0.
Strong emotions
“I know clashes between us and Leopards arouse strong emotions, both on and off the pitch, but I am looking forward to enjoying myself on Saturday.
“I am praying for a win. Leopards is a good team. They have shown tremendous improvement since the second leg last season and how they have started this season,” observed Okoth.
“But that does not make us fear them. We are Gor Mahia and we fear no one. We are ready for battle. We want to have the bragging rights in the derby.”
Okoth was named man of the match when Gor beat Thika United 2-0 on the opening weekend of the season and he hopes to shine again come Sunday.
