Confed Preview: Gor Mahia host NAPSA Stars

Kenyan champions Gor Mahia play the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) Stars of Zambia in the first of a two-legged CAF Confederation Cup group stage clincher at Nairobi’s Nyayo stadium.

K’Ogalo will be gunning for a 5th consecutive appearance into the group stage of African continent’s second tier club competition since Englishman Dylan Kerr masterminded their return to elite competition in 2017.

At stake for the iconic but cash strapped Kenyan club is a Sh57 million payout which’ is the least amount wired to clubs that make it into the groups.

Gor Mahia therefore must make the most of their home advantage as they face a return leg tie in Zambia next week. NAPSA Stars are not continental regulars and would have passed for underdogs.

However, Gor Mahia’s recent form hardly inspires confidence. Granted the club is regaining stability since the arrival of Portuguese tactician Vaz Pinto but Gor Mahia’s leaky backline has seen them uncharacteristically concede ten goals in the league and shipped in eight in their last continental assignment against CR Belouizdad.

Pinto succeeded in keeping a clean sheet against AFC Leopards and must tighten the backline even further for his charges to successfully navigate this tricky home and away tie.

A central defensive pairing of Andrew Juma and Charles Momanyi is beginning to blossom while K’Ogalo have also plug the leaky left back by bringing back pint sized Geoffrey Ochieng for the out of sorts Michael Apudo.

Pinto has equally found a central midfield balance with the trio of Ernest Wendo, skipper Kenneth Muguna and youth prodigy Alpha Onyango. He is likely to stick with his formation from the midfield rearwards while there could be changes in the flanks and attack.

The club has not established which combination works best among teir flank and forward line comprising Samuel Onyango, Jules Ulimwengu, Tito Okelo, Nicholas Kipkirui and Clifton Miheso.

Club management ensured the players did not approach the game by boycotting training sessions as has been the norm whenever Gor Mahia faced a big clash The club settled outstanding salary arrears to give the technical unit ample time to prepare the players.

Pinto was definitely impressed by having all his charges available for the game. “It is a work in progress but we have been able to cover more with the players since the office made sure they are settled. Our focus is on the game ahead and we will be going for three points to give ourselves a chance to the next level,” said the Portuguese

NAPSA on the other hand have insights into the workings of Gor Mahia as they have two ex K’Ogalo players within their ranks. Goalkeeper Shaban Odhonji and defender David Owino who briefly trained with Gor Mahia in January upon the expiry of his contract with Zesco before flying back to Zambia to link up with NAPSA make up the 43-man contingent facing K’Ogalo.

Coach Mohamed Fathi exuded confidence ahead of this afternoon’s big clash. “We expect to have a good game and have a positive result. Gor Mahia is a big team. They have experience since they are regulars in CAF competitions. But every game is different and we don’t want to give them too much respect. We just have to impose our plan on them,” Fathi said

The Zambian club is looking to get at least a draw in Nairobi the take the advantage back home where they aim to finish Gor Mahia off and book a place in the money minting group stage.