Gor Mahia, SuperSport United clash in Confederation Cup

Gor Mahia coach Dylan Kerr insists the fate of their Caf Confederation Cup tie against South Africa’s SuperSport United lies with his players’ ability to make use of their home advantage.

After watching his charges splutter in the opening leg of their Caf Champions League first round tie against Tunisian giants Esperance before eventually bowing out 1-0 on aggregate after losing 1-0 away, Kerr fully understands what it means to use the home ground advantage.

Gor Mahia welcome SuperSport United at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos today in their play-off, first leg tie with the aggregate winner assured of Sh27 million in the competition’s group stages.

The visitors stunned Gor Mahia officials on Friday after their arrival in the country, where they said they would make the hour-long road trip from Nairobi to the match venue owing to “lack of five-star facilities in Machakos.”

But this was not unexpected. SuperSport United’s nick name Matsatsantsa, loosely translates into “The Stylish Ones” or “The Swanky Boys” in Southern African lingua.

'STYLE AND MAGIC'

The “Mahia”, in Gor Mahia on the other hand means “magic”; making Sunday’s clash a confrontation between style and magic.

“In my many years in this game, I have seen teams struggle in their domestic leagues but perform so well in continental championships,” Kerr said in relation to SuperSport’s struggles in the Premier Soccer League where they are three points above the drop zone.

“We have prepared as we always do, but l learned a lot from our game against Esperance so I hope my players realise how important it is to make the home match count. And that is done by converting chances.”

SuperSport warmed up for this tie with a 1-0 loss to Polokwane City, while unbeaten Gor were 1-0 winners against Vihiga United last weekend.

But the South Africans are not to be underrated.

Last season, the club reached the final of this competition, although they were beaten 2-1 on aggregate by Democratic Republic of Congo giants TP Mazembe.

SuperSport coach Kaitano Tembo will welcome back speedster Thuso Phala, who has completed a two-match ban slapped on him by Caf following his sending off in the Confederation Cup final against TP Mazembe last year.

Kerr will be without defenders Godfrey Walusimbi, Wellington Ochieng and Karim Nizigiyimana.

Kerr is expected to start with the Rwandan pair of Jacques Tuyisenge and Meddie Kagere in attack with goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch set to take his place between the sticks.

Tembo says that the clash is important, and promised to give fans an “entertaining match.”

"Starting away gives us an opportunity to understand the opponent better before the return match but I don't think it gives us any edge over Gor Mahia. I can’t predict the outcome of the game but one thing I can promise is that we shall give the fans a good game," he said upon arrival in Kenya.

Tickets for the match will retail at Sh500 for the VIP section while terraces will cost Sh200. The match kicks off at 3pm.