Will Gor get their revenge against Vihiga?

Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia will be looking to fire on all cylinders when they take to the Mumias Sports Complex to face 15th placed Vihiga United in Thursday’s Football Kenya Federation Premier League clash.

The last time the two sides faced off in the first leg back in January, the county-funded side stunned the defending champions 0-1 courtesy of a late Dennis Wafula strike in the 86th minute of the game to snatch all the three points and leave a bitter taste in the mouths of the Green Army faithful.

K’Ogalo go into the match knowing very well that there is no room for any slip-ups. Should they get all the three points in the away match, the Green Army will leapfrog into fifth place on 28 points and close the gap between them and log leaders KCB to only eight points with a game in hand.

With the Vaz Pinto-led side seemingly charged and having every reason to win the game, Gor will however have to be very wary heading into the rescheduled fixture. Out of the last five times, the two clubs have faced each other, Vihiga have pulled the surprise on Gor Mahia on two occasions with the remaining three games ending in two Gor wins and one draw.

The last time Gor also managed to beat the team traces back to two years ago in February 2019 where Nicholas Kipkirui, who has since decamped to Nairobi City Stars, found the solitary goal of the game and head coach Pinto has called on his side to treat the match with the utmost respect it deserves.

"All games are difficult and we must face Vihiga with commitment, organization and the concentration all opponents deserve. We are determined to win," the coach is quoted on the club’s social media portals.

On the other hand, relegation-threatened Vihiga United would be fancying their chances of completing a memorable league double over the champions. Their goalkeeper Mustafa Oduor however acknowledged the herculean task that lies ahead if they are to achieve the feat.

“The game against Gor Mahia will definitely be tough because they are the defending league champions, it is never easy when playing against them. They have also started well since the league resumed, winning their two league matches and the cup clash as well. Our position in the league is bad and we need to turn things around so that we can move up the table. We now have a new coaching bench and everyone is motivated,” he said in a previous interview.

Whether Vihiga can replicate that first leg achievement remains to be seen. The match kicks off at 1500EAT.