Oliech doubtful as AFC Leopards plot Gor Mahia upset

The buzz may not be as intense as that of days of yore but rest assured the Mashemeji Derby remains the most anticipated in Kenyan club football. The first meeting of the season between eternal rivals AFC Leopards and defending champions Gor Mahia will be held on Saturday 3pm at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi.

This will be the 90th league meeting between the two sides that jokingly call each other "in-laws" but are in reality bitter arch rivals on and off the football pitch.

The showdown will bring K’Ogalo’s Cypriot coach Hassan Oktay against Rwandan Andre Casa Mbungo in a tactical battle whose winner will carry the bragging rights into the second leg clash that is slated for March this year.

Oktay and his charges will be buoyed by Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Vihiga United in a league match, but even more by a whopping 4-2 victory they achieved over Egyptian side Zamalek last Sunday in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage match.

Ingwe on the other side are stuck in a performance rut, underlined by a 2-1 loss to unfancied Mount Kenya United on Wednesday that stretched their wretched losing streak to three.

To stem a possible annihilation in the hands of their cross-town rivals, Ingwe have employed a raft of emergency measures over the last three days, key among them being the installation of former Kenyan international Boniface Ambani as the team’s assistant coach.

In a closed door meeting between the current squad and a group of Ingwe legends, the players said in confidence that they are deeply lacking un motivation following the slashing of their winning allowances from Sh7,000 to Sh3,000, as well as the fact that fans no longer come to cheer them during matches.

They, however, promised to give their best in today's clash, with captain Robinson Kamura saying that they will be gunning for maximum points.

“With a team like Gor Mahia we know it will be a high scoring game because of their style of play, so the trick is to score more than one goal. We promise our fans that we shall not let them down. It will be a tough battle but all of us are willing to play our roles to ensure that we get a good result,” he said.

Kamura is a sure starter in Mbungo’s defence, alongside Dennis Sikhayi, Salim Abdalla and Isaac Kipyegon.

The front line, which has been identified as the main area of weakness at the den, will be marshalled by former Thika United forward Eugene Mukangula with assistance from Whyvonne Isuza, formerly of Mathare United.

As they look to extend their dominance in this fixture, reigning champions Gor Mahia will take comfort in the fact that Rwandan Jacques Tuyisenge is fit and available, as are attackers George Odhiambo, Francis Kahata and Kenneth Muguna. Former Harambee Stars skipper Dennis Oliech is doubtful after limping off training at Camp Toyoyo grounds on Friday.

The biggest headache for Oktay however will be whether to retain goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch between the posts.

“Form doesn’t count for much during such matches, so their recent performance will not be that important in the match. I expect that we shall be up against a very different side and I am ready for that,” Oktay said.

VIP and terrace tickets for the match will go for Sh500 and Sh200 respectively.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Last 10 league results

Jun 8, 2014 Gor Mahia 1-3 AFC Leopards (Nyayo)

Jul 27, 2014 AFC Leopards 2–2 Gor Mahia (Nyayo)

Apr 12, 2015 AFC Leopards 1-1 Gor Mahia (Nyayo)

Aug 23, 2015 Gor Mahia 2-0 AFC Leopards (Nyayo)

Mar 6, 2016 Gor Mahia 0-1 AFC Leopards (Kasarani)

Oct 23, 2016 AFC Leopards 0-2 Gor Mahia (Nyayo)

May 7, 2017 AFC Leopards 0-3 Gor Mahia (Nyayo)

Aug 27, 2017 Gor Mahia 1-1 AFC Leopards (Nyayo)

Jul 22, 2018 AFC Leopards 1-2 Gor Mahia (Kasarani)

Aug 25, 2018 Gor Mahia 2-0 AFC Leopards (Kasarani)