Gor return to face Thika in tricky tie

Gor Mahia midfielder Francis Kahata (left) and forward Bonface Omondi at a past training at Camp Toyoyo, Jericho in Nairobi The Kenyan champions return to league action this weekend. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Leopards visit Bandari in Mombasa.
  • Coach Kerr wants to maintain his winning ways as they face their bogey team.

Reigning champions Gor Mahia return to Kenyan Premier League (KPL) action with a tricky match against Thika United on Sunday at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

K’Ogalo, who beat Wazito 1-0 in their last league assignment 11 days ago, jetted back into the country on Thursday night from South Africa where they eliminated SuperSport United in their Caf Confederation Cup play-off on away goal rule after 2-2 aggregate score.

Thika have always been a bogey side to Gor memorably denying them a league title on the last day of the 2012 season in a tense draw.

Gor coach Dylan Kerr says he wants to extend his impeccable run locally with victory against Thika, who’ve struggled to impress this season winning once in 11 outings.

“I want to stay unbeaten in the league, this is what the players want, the staff and I am sure the supporters too,” said Kerr.

“We are almost a full house, (Ernest) Wendo is back, Karim (Nizigiyimana) resumed training too and for (Godfrey) Walusimbi, I hope he will join us too and his issues sorted,” the Briton added.

Five matches have been lined up for Saturday. Third-placed AFC Leopards visit Bandari at the coast as Dennis Kitambi takes charge of his seventh match as interim Ingwe coach.

“I am hopeful that the team can continue doing well in the meantime,” said Kitambi, who will be replaced by Argentine Rodolfo Zapata. The Argentine was expected in the country Friday and could watch the match from the stands.

The Gor-Thika United match will be preceded by a Nakumatt clash with and four-time champions Ulinzi Stars.

Nakumatt chalked a 0-0 draw against Kariobangi Sharks last weekend, hours after being bought by Embakasi East parliamentary seat aspirant Francis Mureithi.

A double header has been scheduled at Camp Toyoyo grounds with Mathare United, sitting top on 23 points from 11 games, seeking to return to winning ways.

“We’ve to keep the momentum on, correct few mistakes committed in the match (against Posta Rangers) and force a good start this time round,” the Slum Boys’ coach Francis Kimanzi said referring to the shock 2-1 defeat to Posta Rangers last Sunday.

A point separates the 2008 champions and Gor who have three games in hand.

FIXTURES

Saturday

Chemelil Sugar v Sofapaka (Chemelil Complex, 1pm)

Kariobangi Sharks v Kakamega Homeboyz (Camp Toyoyo grounds, 2pm)

Wazito v Mathare United (Camp Toyoyo grounds, 4.15pm)

Bandari v AFC Leopards (Mbaraki grounds, 3pm)

Zoo Kericho v Tusker (Kericho Green Stadium, 3pm)

Sunday

Nakumatt v Ulinzi Stars (Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos 2pm)

Gor Mahia v Thika United (Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos 4.15pm)

Sony Sugar v Posta Rangers (Awendo Green Stadium, 3pm)

Vihiga United v Nzoia Sugar (Mumias Sports Complex, 3pm)