Gor Mahia head coach Jonathan McKinstry has asked his charges to approach their match against Tusker with a lot of caution despite their opponent’s lukewarm form in recent weeks.
The two Kenyan Premier League behemoths will lock horns in the highly-anticipated clash of Titans at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.
McKinstry said the Brewers have proven to be a hard nut to crack in the past and he, therefore, expects a tough match.
“We can only underrate them at our own peril. It is not lost to us that they are the immediate former champions and their current squad boasts a wealth of experience,” McKinstry said.
The Irish gaffer, however, tipped K’Ogalo to thrive in the encounter, urging them to replicate the great character they exhibited in their last encounter against arch-rivals AFC Leopards.
“We are going into the match as favourites if our current position in the league is anything to go by. We only need to display the same level of commitment we pulled off in the Mashemeji derby and we shall be good to go,” McKinistry remarked.
Gor currently sit second on the log with 12 points, four adrift of leaders Posta Rangers. McKinstry believes they are strategically placed to topple the Mailmen as they zealously launch their hunt for a 21st title.
“Our ultimate goal is to get to the summit of the table because that will provide us with the edge we need over our opponents,” he stated.
His opposite number at Tusker, Robert Matano, said they are working extremely hard to plug in the loopholes that have jolted their campaign thus far.
The veteran tactician urged their fans to be patient in the aftermath of their sloppy run, which leaves them seventh on the log with eight points.
They head into the next fixture bogged down by a heart-wrenching 1-0 defeat they incurred at the hands of KPL returnees Shabana.
“We feel dismayed after last match’s loss to Shabana but I have made it clear to the players that suffering a second straight loss would put us all in a risky position,” Matano remarked.
“Our agreement with the players is that we shall sideline anyone who fails to show total commitment in the upcoming fixtures, including the next one against Gor,” he promised.
Matano reckons he has the prerequisite depth to upset the defending champions.
“What makes you think we can’t beat them? Nobody should be misled to write us off just because we lost to Shabana. We can beat and we will beat them if the players follow instructions,” he said.
