•Gor rode to the final round of the preliminary stage on the back of a walkover after Sudanese side Al Ahli Merowe failed to arrive in Kenya on Sunday for the second leg of the penultimate round.
•Meanwhile, Odhiambo has been crowned by K’Ogalo fans as the Player of The Month for his stellar performances across local and regional tournaments that saw Gor concede only one goal the entire month.
Gor Mahia centre-back Frank Odhiambo has tipped the record Kenyan champions to finish off AS Otoho d’Oyo of Congo in the first leg of the Caf Confederations Cup playoffs at the Stade Alphonse Massamba-Debat in Brazzaville on Sunday.
Speaking ahead of their departure, Odhiambo, 20, said he was confident they had sharpened their claws well enough to give their rivals a run for their money.
“We want to get it done and dusted in Congo. We don't intend to rely on the home advantage to beat our opponents. I know we have prepared well enough to do so,” said Odhiambo.
K'Ogalo are set to jet out on Friday morning and will be received by an advance party comprising secretary-general Sam Ocholla and sporting director Lordvick Aduda.
The duo left on Tuesday morning for Brazzaville to lay the ground for the team's arrival. The return leg of the double header has been slated for Nyayo Stadium a week later.
The fate of the return clash in Nairobi still hangs in the balance after the chief executive officer of the ousted Football Kenya Federation, Barry Otieno, wrote to Caf on Tuesday saying the decision by government to appoint a caretaker committee had made it difficult for them to organise the event.
“We wish to inform you that on November 11, 2021, the Cabinet Secretary for Sports released a press statement disbanding FKF and installing an FKF caretaker committee to oversee all football activities in the country,” read the letter.
“Further, the Cabinet Secretary for Sports Amina Mohamed also ordered for the total lockdown of the FKF premises, denying all federation staff access to the office, a situation that has completely incapacitated the federation’s operations.
“In light of the foregoing, and the existing government directive, taking over all footballing activities, the federation is regrettably unable to independently plan and successfully execute the upcoming Caf Confederation Cup between Gor Mahia and AS Otoho scheduled for December 5, 2021, in Nairobi.
“Further as a precaution and in consideration of the safety and well-being of the FKF staff who continue to be intimidated by a section of the Caretaker committee members, the federation has formally informed Caf on the football situation in the country and FKF’s challenge in organising the aforementioned fixture.”
Gor rode to the final round of the preliminary stage on the back of a walkover after Sudanese side Al Ahli Merowe failed to arrive in Kenya on Sunday for the second leg of the penultimate round.
They had a two-goal advantage heading into the match after registering an emphatic 3-1 victory over their opponents at the New Suez Stadium in Egypt a week ago.
Meanwhile, Odhiambo has been crowned by K’Ogalo fans as the Player of The Month for his stellar performances across local and regional tournaments that saw Gor concede only one goal the entire month.
The central defender termed the award a motivation to perform better.
Odhiambo received an Sh25,000 cash prize and a personalised trophy at a function held at Camp Toyoyo in Nairobi.