With just three matches to the end of the current Kenyan Premier League season and the third consecutive crown well secured, nothing is more precious to the Gor Mahia family than the unbeaten streak; they hold it so close to their hearts than even the league title they have already won for keeps count less.

Coach Frank Nuttall himself has been quoted in the media admitting they would love to finish the season unbeaten.

The ever vocal “Green Army” on the other hand knows very well the consequences of letting go of the bragging rights; any slip up would badly expose them to their sworn enemies who have been praying all season for such an opportunity to deflate their egos like the proverbial hyena waiting for a swinging hand to fall.

K’Ogalo as Gor Mahia is nicknamed is yet to taste defeat in all competitions on Kenyan soil this season – the team has gone 27 matches unscathed in the league a trend they want to keep as the league draws to a close, only the 1976 squad went the entire season unbeaten.

The team will be in Kisumu for an away match against a resurgent Tusker FC at Kisumu’s Moi Stadium on Sunday 25.

A game between the two giants of Kenyan football is traditionally very close to call with a 1-0 win margin or a draw being the popular results. The duo met last Saturday in the Top8 Knockout Tournament in a hotly contested encounter which saw the Brewers who had just parted ways with their head coach Francis Kimanzi fight back from two goals down to draw 2-2 against the favorites.

Stand-in coach Leonard Odipo will be out to prove to his bosses that he is the right man for the hot seat as he hopes to complete the sweet comeback against the Champions. The team headed straight to Kisumu after their midweek win away in Awendo against Sony a signal they would love to maintain the tempo as they put their rough patch behind them.

Odipo will also be guarding against a possibility of K’Ogalo pulling a double over them, as the champions got the better of the Ruaraka based outfit in the first stanza of the tie, winning by Meddie Kagere’s stinging header in the second half.

League leading top scorer Jesse Were who crossed the 20 goals mark scoring the sole goal against Sony, will be gunning to steer clear of the chasing pack of Michael Olunga and Meddie Kagere of Gor in the race for the golden boot.

Gor will still have to make do without left full back Abouba Sibomana and winger Godfrey Walusimba who have been out injured for sometime now. In their absence Innocent Wafula and George Odhiambo are expected to fill their respective roles.

KO-4PM

@bonfaceosano

Bonface Osano

African Football Writer contributing @Soka25east | Commentator; appeared on @MySoccerAfrica, @KweseSports, @ntvkenya, others | Keen follower of African Football. E-mail: bonfaceosano@gmail.com