Ze Maria rallies fans ahead of derby

Gor Mahia coach Marcelo Ferreira has urged their supporters to turn out in large numbers and rally behind the team during Sunday’s crunch SportPesa Premier League match against bitter rivals AFC Leopards at Nyayo Stadium.

Ferreira, who will be leading Gor for the second time in the “Mashemeji” derby, also cautioned the fans against directing too much pressure on his players in the build up to the eagerly awaited match.

Ferreira warned that such pressure could have a psychological effect on their performance.

The Brazilian told Nation Sport the fans sometimes give the players “a lot of pressure” without taking into account the implications, and he particularly asked supporters to desist from castigating individual players.

“We are doing more of interpersonal discussions and less of pitch training. This is because I need get the pressure off these players’ minds. They need to focus on the game, not on the comments being made on social media,” said Ferreira.

“I work best under pressure, but the same is not true for the players. Players get easily discouraged by criticism so I have asked them to stay away from social media for their own good,” said Ferreira after leading the team in a two-hour in a closed door session.

Ahead of the Sunday clash, a lot is at stake for both coaches, but Ferreira finds himself under-pressure to lead his charges back to winning ways following last weekend’s shock 1-0 loss to Mathare United.

Leopards battled to a 1-1 draw with leaders Posta Rangers in Nakuru and will be out to get one better over their nemesis following last October’s 2-0 loss at Nyayo.

Back then, Ingwe were under the tutelage of coach Ezekiel Akwana and were placed a distant 12th place on the standings, 12 points behind then second-placed K’Ogalo.

The stakes are different now, with Ingwe placed fourth on the log, just two points below Gor Mahia who are second on 16 points.

Both teams have lost two games each, and will be claim the derby bragging rights until the second leg clash.

“Leopards have a very good team with a very good coach. They have very fast players and they like to run. I don’t want to discuss their weak points because I have a secret weapon that should help us cope with them.”