Murang’a Seal head coach Yusuf Chipo has fired an early warning to Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia ahead of their FKF Cup semi-final showdown this Sunday.
Chipo insists his side is braced to battle for a place in the final. Seal booked their semi-final ticket with a 3-2 triumph over Ulinzi Stars on May 1.
Joe Waithira bagged a brace while Victor Haki added a crucial third. Staphord Odhiambo and Joseph Ochieng' replied for Ulinzi.
Chipo has made his intentions clear—his side won’t just show up against K'Ogalo, they will go for glory.
"We will do our best to fight for a place in the final of the Mozzart Cup. Anything is possible," Chipo said.
Seal held Gor Mahia to a goalless draw at St. Sebastian Park last weekend in a Premier League fixture, having shared the spoils in a thrilling 2-2 first-leg encounter.
Chipo believes his charges have tested Gor Mahia enough and will be ready to adapt to their play on Sunday.
“In the first half, Gor came at us with quick counters, but we stuck to our possession-based style and executed it well,” Chipo reflected.
“In the second half, they brought on more experienced players like Austine Odhiambo, which gave them an edge. That’s when we adapted and switched to a counter-attacking approach.”
That gritty performance, Chipo believes, is a massive psychological lift heading into Sunday’s semi-final clash.
“Snatching a point off the defending champions is no small feat. The boys showed real character and grit. I am proud of their fighting spirit,” he said.
The coach admitted that recent league fixtures have tested his squad, with back-to-back games against Sofapaka and Gor Mahia leaving little time for rest or recovery.
He hopes to sharpen his charges' skills for the K'Ogalo showdown.
"I believe the next match against them will be very different. We will sit down with the boys and iron out some key areas where we saw weaknesses," he noted.
Meanwhile, they are keen to avoid relegation from the Premier League with just two matches remaining.
"We have to do our best in the next league matches to avoid relegation," he said.
The Murang'a-based are 16th on the log with 33 points, one ahead of Bidco United and two points better than bottom-side Nairobi City Stars.
Their final league encounters will be against Mara Sugar and FC Talanta.
