By Samuel Gacharira,
Kenyan side Gor Mahia also refered to as the Green Army by their passionate fans will shift focus to Dolisie city when they lock horns against AC Leopards in a CAF Champions league second round tie at the Stade Municipal Denis Sassou N’Guesso on Sunday.
The hosts are strong favorites to go through given that they have a slim 1-0 advantage going into this game.
Indeed, K’Ogalo face an uphill task of overturning the one goal deficit coupled with huge financial problems that almost put paid to their journey to Congo Brazaville as they needed intervention to travel after the Kenyan Premier League management and other donors managed to salvage them.
The Kenyan champions have performed dismally on foreign soil recently losing to CNAPS of Madagascar in their latest continental game away from home though they went through courtesy of the away goals rule. However, they will draw confidence from their triumph over US Bitam in last year’s edition after they forced the second leg outing to penalties in Gabon.
The visitors whose preparations for this match have been hampered due to financial difficulties are reported to have boycotted training twice this week .Delay in payment of salaries as well as match allowances being cited as the major cause for the go slow. So dire was the situation that they required a last minute grant by Kenya’s top tier management company (KPL) in order to honor this fixture.
That notwithstanding, the Beasts from Niari are determined to proceed to the next round where either Enyimba or Smouha await them. Flamboyant club chairman Remy Ayayos expects nothing short of glory as they aim to add another feather to their continental cap this season.
Gor Mahia coach Frank Nuttal is expected to ring changes to his starting lineup opting for experience as he welcomes back Victor Ali back to the fold after he recovered from a knock but will miss the services of the likes of stand in captain Musa Mohamed and Ugandan import Khalid Aucho who have amassed yellow cards.
.However, his opposite number Lamine Ndiaye will tend to keep faith in the same squad that yielded positive results in Nairobi as Danger man Junior Makiese will lead the goal hunt while Chansel Massa mans the posts for the hosts.
Kick of is slated for 1400hrs GMT.
