Wanga: Bring on Gor Mahia now

Red-hot striker Allan Wanga boasts three seasons in the Kenyan Premier League with three different teams and has found the net dozens of times, but even he agrees that scoring for AFC Leopards against Gor Mahia would be special.

The two perennial arch-rivals – ‘in-laws’ to supporters – meet for the first time this season on Sunday at Nyayo National Stadium.

“This is a big game considering the two clubs are the biggest in the country. It is always a different game, with the excitement and attention. It will be tough, it will be good, and I have been looking forward to scoring on that day,” Wanga said with relish.

Wanga, who has scored in five of his past six games – including four league ties – said he had always had the dream of playing in Kenya’s true football derby. He said: “My father (Frank Wetende) played for AFC (then Abaluyhia Football Club) and I always told myself that one day I will play for AFC.

“It feels great to be part of this history and I look forward to the clash.”

The Kenyan international, who has previously played for Tusker and Sofapaka, joined Leopards this season on a free transfer from Vietnamese side Hoang Anh Gia Lai and has been the talk of the league thus far with his explosive goals.

Fantastic coach

Wanga added: “Football is all about working hard and being determined.

“The environment also helps. AFC is growing and it is like a family. There is togetherness and love within the team and I feel so much at home here.

“Also, (AFC coach Jan) Koops is a fantastic coach who has motivated the team well and brings out the best in every player.”

Unbeaten Leopards top the table with 13 points from five matches and are favoured to draw first blood against Gor, who have lost in their past two league matches. The two traded comprehensive league wins last season, Gor triumphing 3-1 in July and Leopards returning the favour 3-0 in October.

But while Leopards – fresh from blanking Muhoroni Youth on Sunday – have a week to prepare, Gor, smarting from Caf Confederation Cup exit via Ferroviario Maputo on a 4-0 aggregate, have a league tie against Tusker at Nyayo on Wednesday at 7pm. But Wanga sees Gor as among their biggest threats.

Leopards and Gor clash again on April 1 in the quarter-finals of Super Eight tournament that kicks off on Wednesday.