Gor sharpen claws against Zimbabwe

Gor Mahia head coach James Siang'a with his players during a training session at Nairobi School. Photo/CHRIS OMOLLO

Having played several useful trial matches in the lead-up to last weekend’s Super Cup win against Mathare United, Gor Mahia’s flowing football has been on the rise.

Gor, who will on Sunday at Nyayo National Stadium meet Rwandas’s APR team for the first time in the Confederations Cup, will be hoping to bounce back on their international winning ways.

Despite being a tough nut to crack, it is worth noting that Gor’s play has been progressing by the day and thus Sunday’s game promises to be a cracker.

“This will be the first time we are meeting APR. But that doesn’t worry us going by the intense practice we have been undertaking,” said Gor’s team manager, Gideon Ochieng’.

Two trophies

It promises to be a competitive match at Nyayo with James Sianga’s side having managed to win two trophies in the last two months, while coming up against a side that has featured in the tournament twice.

Gor can find themselves at the mercy of the Rwandese team with a defeat, so Siang’a will be looking for big performances from his strike-force of Ibrahim Kitawi and John Ringo who were rested against Mathare United in the Super Cup tie.

The towering Ringo has been scoring in his Premier League outings same for Habil Otieno and they maybe handily supplied by former Mahakama FC offensive midfielder, Kitawi, who will lead the way in assists this season for K’ogalo.

“I’m delighted that two of our top players have recovered and will be available for the tie. “This is important for us as we gear towards reclaiming our lost glory in the international arena,” said Ochieng’.

The team is camping in Naivasha until Saturday evening, where they are having a series of friendly matches. They were to play Homegrown yesterday evening and will today, at Sher Karuturi, play host to Zimbabwe’s CAPS United who are on their way to Uganda for their Confederation Cup match with Victors FC in Kampala on Sunday.

The 13-time league champions have had all the intentions of making reinforcements in the team ahead of the continental event, signing 13 new players. Siang’a said recently that his team has what it takes to do well this season.

“I wanted to change my pattern of play, hence the heavy recruitment. These are young boys full of talent and who can do the job. I only hope we will improve on our last season’s results,” said Siang’a.

Gor will host the Rwandese on Sunday from 4 pm, before playing in the return leg a fortnight later in Kigali. Gor’s last appearance on the continental scene was in 1996 when they were knocked out in the first round of the Champions League by Egyptian side, Zamalek.

The winner between APR and Gor Mahia will face Egyptian side Haras El Hodoud who were handed a bye into the first round. APR arrives on Thursday.

South Africa continued their World Cup preparations with a 1-0 win over Zambia in a friendly international in Pretoria on Tuesday, a record-breaking fifth straight victory for the 2010 tournament hosts, adds Reuters.

Captain Teko Modise converted a curling free kick early in the second half to hand a South African side made up of only home-based players another morale-boosting victory.

The win over Zambia marked the first time South Africa have won five games in row although they have all come against African opposition.

Gor Mahia Squad: Jerry Onyango, Steve Otieno, Julius Awilo, Francis Akango, Nathan Munai, Peter Opiyo, Habil Otieno, Elisha Ochieno, Christopher Wekesa, George Odhiambo, Zablon Otieno, Roney Kaguzi, Boutros Saia, Isaac Okoth, Joseph Chege, Ben Gemet and Eric Masika. Coach: James Siang’a. Team Manager: Gideon Ochieng’.