Gor Mahia coach Jose Marcelo Ferreira is braced up to win Top 8 final on Sunday, October 16 against Muhoroni Youth at Nyayo Stadium.
With floundering fortunes in the Kenyan premier league, the 8-team tournament offers the former Brazilian international, fondly referred to; “Ze Maria”, an opportunity for maiden accolade on African soil.
“I’m feeling good about this opportunity to win the first trophy at Gor Mahia; we played well in the competition and we are ready to fight to deliver the title,” Ze Maria who succeeded Scotsman Frank Nuttal early this year told Soka25east.com.
Having been knocked of the GoTV Shield Cup, at round 16, by national super league side Nzoia FC, and are currently struggling to catch-up with Tusker in the KPL title race, the gaffer is a live to the high expectations of the ever demanding fans.
“Fans want the trophy just like us, and it’s our philosophy to win all our matches, so we are going into the match with a winning mentality.”
Gor, the defending champions and two times winners of the five-year-old competition, beat arch rivals Tusker 3-0 on aggregate to storm into final.
They will miss the services of defender Wellington Ochieng’, who is cup tied – having played for Muhoroni in the same competition before signing for the 15-time Kenyan champions in June.
“We are injury free and everybody is ready for selection except for Wellington who is cup tied. The mood is high and everybody including the management is working together for victory,” Ze Maria added.
The team will hold last training, Saturday, October 15, at Camp Toyoyo, Jericho, Nairobi before heading straight to camp.
Muhoroni edged Ulinzi Stars on away goal’s rule to reach their first major final, after 1-1 aggregate score.
The troubled “Cane Cutters” – missing their main striker Wycliffe Ochomo are still hopeful of upsetting the mighty Gor Mahia.
“We are being rated as underdogs but we know we are worthy opponents, and we are going for nothing but a win. We have put aside the issue of Ochomo’s expulsion behind us, and I believe we have able replacements in Lwamba Bebeto and Moses Arita,” Muhoroni Youth interim coach Tom Juma said.
Mohoroni have lost nine of their past fixtures against Gor – only managing a barren draw in the same period, and they will need more than words to break the jinx.
Kick-off 3PM
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