• Although statistics favour them heading into the encounter judging by their superior position on the KPL log, McKinstry has urged his charges not to rest on their laurels.
•Vocal AFC Leopards tactician Patrick Aussems has said they are not experiencing any sleepless nights over the encounter amid the heightened hype.
Image: HANDOUT
The stage has been set for Kenya's biggest top-flight action, the Mashemeji derby, which takes place at Moi Stadium Kasarani in Nairobi on Sunday.
The gaffers of the two Kenyan Premier League behemoths broke their silence on Thursday to weigh in on the arduous task that awaits their charges.
Gor's Jonathan McKinstry has acknowledged the threat posed by their arch-rivals, noting that other than the bragging rights at stake, the crunch encounter has a lot of bearing on their title aspirations.
"It's a huge game for us. It's like being out for a run and you come across a hill. You just have to focus, kick in and get to the top of the hill as quickly as possible," McKinistry quipped.
"We are looking forward to a very competitive match on Sunday. We have four days to prepare for the game. In terms of our cycle and how we prepare for matches, that's enough time," he added.
With defending champions Tusker already breathing heavily down their necks, K'Ogalo are under the pump to run over their remaining opponents to keep their heads above the water.
"We are sitting at the top of the league with five games are remaining, and we know we are in a real battle with Tusker for the title. So any game is big at this stage of the season," McKinistry remarked.
Although statistics favour them heading into the encounter judging by their superior position on the KPL log, McKinstry has urged his charges not to rest on their laurels.
"We know an individual game like this is almost like a cup game in a sense and the league form is out of the question. So it doesn't matter that we are at the top of the table and they are in the mid-table position.
Image: FILE
"It's going to be like two trains going at each other, coming head-on-head and there is going to be a crash," McKinstry said.
"We expect the energy and the intensity to be huge and we are going into the game looking to play hard, fast, and to take all three points," he added.
The Irish gaffer has appealed to local football fans to throng the stands and create the aura that accompanies matches of that calibre.
"The rivalry between us and AFC just helps the game take a unique contest. The Mashemeji derby is the poster game for Kenyan football. It's the game that everyone looks to."
Vocal AFC Leopards tactician Patrick Aussems has said they are not experiencing any sleepless nights over the encounter amid the heightened hype.
"We are using this game to prepare for our FKF Cup semifinal match against Kakamega Homeboyz," Aussems said.
"Everybody is talking to me about the Mashemeji derby but this is a match that can only give us a maximum of three points like any other. I'm not interested in the traditional rivalry between the two clubs. My focus is on the game that will come thereafter," he added.
The Belgian gaffer has hinted at dazzling their opponents with a new tactical approach.
"I intend to make some changes in our organization and the lineup against Gor Mahia as well. I'm doing this specifically to get all my 19 players ready for the semis on the 20th."