Injury-plagued Gor Mahia pumped up ahead of busy week

A run of three games in eight days for the only unbeaten team in the FKF Premier League - Gor Mahia - will begin on Saturday 28 October as the Green Army take on Bidco United at the Moi International Sports Centre - Kasarani.

Whilst that may look taxing, given that after Bidco they play away to a rather tricky side in Shabana before battling Kenya Police, Gor Mahia head coach Johnathan McKinstry would rather keep his focus on round eight, while also paying attention to the leaps his side has taken thus far.

“Playing against every team in the Kenyan Premier League is extremely difficult because they always want to put out their best performance against us whether individually or as a team with the aim of making headlines,” McKinstry told the club media on Thursday. “We know we have an interesting week coming up but I want us to maintain our concentration only on this weekend.”

Likening his team’s situation to ‘a driver who doesn’t want to miss the pothole by looking too far in the distance’, McKinstry - voted as the Coach of the week for Round Seven - believes that two things could contribute to their downfall and that he seeks his team to avoid: casual play and thinking beyond the eighth game of the season.

“We are facing a difficult opponent who has only one loss in their seven games this season,” he added. “We know we’ll need to manage our energy levels but with controlling this game and using the quality upfront we will manage to win this game.”

One thing to his team’s credit, was how they have managed to keep two consecutive clean sheets - against AFC Leopards and Tusker - a feature in this game he hopes to see once again.

Harambee Stars custodian devastated after injury setback

On players not available for the weekend game, McKinstry noted that the trio of Emery Bayisenge (calf strain), Ernest Wendo (flu) and Gad Matthews (still ramping up) would at least miss the Bidco game, with their status for the Shabana game next Wednesday still questionable.

Emery Bayisenge was an early first half substitute in the 1-0 victory over Tusker FC on Sunday having picked a calf strain.

"We don't expect him to be out for too long; he should be back in a week or two" head coach Johnathan McKinstry assured.

Saturday’s game kicks off at 1500 EAT.

FKF Premier League Matchday Eight

Saturday, October 28th

3PM-Kenya Police FC vs. FC Talanta

3PM-Gor Mahia vs. Bidco United FC

3PM-Sofapaka FC vs. Tusker FC

4PM-Muhoroni Youth FC vs. Murang'a Seal FC

3PM-Posta Rangers FC vs. Bandari Football Club

Sunday, October 29th

4PM-Nzoia Sugar FC vs. AFC Leopards SC

1PM-Nairobi City Stars FC vs. KCB FC

3PM-Ulinzi Stars FC vs. Shabana FC

3:15PM-Kariobangi Sharks FC vs. Kakamega Homeboyz FC