Stage set for titanic battle as Shabana dare Gor at Gusii Stadium

Gusii Stadium, with a capacity of 10,000, is expected to be packed to the rafters, a cauldron of ardent fans with unrivaled passion for their teams.

But drama is unfolding in the buildup to the eagerly-awaited thriller, with Gor Mahia head coach Sinisa Mihic saying it is unjust for his team to play two important games in two days.

In a candid statement, Mihic voiced his concerns regarding the congested fixture schedule that the record Kenyan champions have been subjected to.

“It is unjust for my team to play two important games in two days,” he lamented, referring to their recent hard-fought victory in the FKF Cup quarterfinals against Kariobangi Sharks at Dandora Stadium.

The Croatian tactician fears that the fatigue from such a grueling schedule could tip the scales in favour of their opponents, Shabana FC.

“Why did we have to play on Thursday? Why not on Wednesday or Tuesday? It was not good for us to play on Thursday and then travel all the way to Kisii for our match on Sunday. Whoever prepares the fixture should be mindful of this,” the Croatian said.

Mihic also bemoaned the strain that the fixture congestion places on their finances, particularly in relation to travel costs, noting that unlike their European counterparts, who enjoy substantial financial backing, Gor Mahia operates within a more constrained budget.

He reckons the logistical strain of traveling long distances for back-to-back matches only adds to the challenges faced by the club, which has already endured five matches in just 15 days.

“We are not like other teams in Europe that have a lot of finances and are able to travel like this. Even then, we have heard certain European teams also complain about the hectic fixture schedule. In our case, we have had to play five matches in 15 days,” he said.

The match itself promises to be a tactical battle, with both teams boasting talented rosters.

Gor Mahia, known for their attacking prowess, will look to assert dominance early in the game.

Their ability to control possession and create scoring opportunities will be crucial in breaking down Shabana's defense. K'Ogalo's ambitions are fueled by the memory of past glories.

Meanwhile, Shabana FC, under the guidance of head coach Peter Okidi, harbors dreams of upsetting the reigning champions.

Okidi's confidence is palpable as he reflects on his team's recent string of impressive results, suggesting that they have the capability to stun Gor Mahia on their home turf.