If the recent all out attack match ups pitting Gor Mahia and Mathare United that have provided four-goal thrillers are anything to go by, then Nyayo Stadium is expected to serve up an enthralling afternoon of football when the two teams duel tomorrow.
The two teams have engaged in all action clashes in the past three years even though Mathare were way out of the title frame. Now as contenders and above the champions in the league table, with coach Francis Kimanzi in the dug out to boot, the slum boys will start as slight favourites in a fixture they have historically relished more than most.
Mathare are three points ahead of Gor and have found some consistency in churning out positive results this season. Though lead striker Obadiah Ndege has hit a rough patch recently, Kimanzi’s boys have found a way to remain among the title contenders, a situation they will not want to relinquish as the season approaches its halfway stage.
Johanna Eric and Robinson Kamura have highlighted their importance to the team with key goals recently and will be important for Mathare in their respective roles as play-maker and centre back. On the other hand, Gor Mahia’s George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo has started hitting the heights of performances and goals that made him a darling of the club six years ago.
Odhiambo has emerged as one of the first names on Ze Maria’s team-sheet, helping shoulder the goal-scoring burden carried by Jacques Tuyisenge.
Recently, Tuyisenge admitted that he has been playing through the pain barrier but has still managed to score five goals in six starts. Opponents will shudder at how lethal the Rwandese marksman will be when he recovers fully probably in time for the second leg.