Burundian and Gor Mahia defender Karim Nizigiyimana has been declared fit to play after a lengthy absence following an ankle injury.
“It’s great to have Karim back…. that adds competition to the right back position with Wellington and Wafula already doing good in the same position. We can now take Philemon back to his favourite position – midfield. His progress has been great since he resumed to full training and he could be in action against Bandari,” Kerr told the official Gor Mahia website.
Karim has been training with the team for the last 10 days and his return is seen as a boost to Gor Mahia with the tight schedule in store.
His teammate Philemon Otieno who has been operating on the right back since Karim got injured, is delighted to see him fully fit and says he has been getting a lot of advice from the Burundian before every game.
“We are happy to have Karim back… he is a great player who inspired me a great deal. When he got injured, l was deployed to his position. Previously, l had never played in that position but Karim was my other coach who could call me before any game and advice me a lot. I worked with his advice together with coach’s instructions to deliver well and l truly thank him,” Otieno noted.
On his part, Karim is excited to return to active football and has appreciated Gor Mahia fraternity for the support he got while recovering.
“My sincere word of appreciation goes to Gor Mahia as a whole. I thank the club, the chairman who supported me all through – he gave all the support l needed, l thank my teammates for the big support they offered and l thank Gor Mahia fans also for their never-ending support and faith in me. Thanks to all. I am back and ready to deliver,” Karim said.
The defender who has been out of active football for close to nine months after picking an injury last year and had to undergo a surgery process is keen to be back to his previous scintillating form which helped him win accolades in 2015.
“I have been training well for many months as per doctor’s instructions and after being cleared, l doubled my efforts and hopefully, l will hit my top form,” he added.
If selected against Bandari on Tuesday next week, Karim will be making his first appearance in a competitive match this year.
Meanwhile, Gor Mahia strengthened their grip at the summit of the KPL standings by moving 15 points clear of their closest challengers courtesy of a 3-0 drubbing of Kariobangi Sharks on Wednesday 1 August at the Moi Stadium, Kisumu.
Goals from Kevin Omondi, Lawrence Juma and an own goal from Godfrey Shiveka compounded Sharks to their second successive 3-0 mauling in the space of three days after last time out’s 3-0 reversal to Bandari.
The win, which is K’Ogalo’s eighth in a row in the league sees them move up to 55 points, 15 above second-placed Sofapaka while Sharks remain seventh with 34 points after suffering their sixth loss of the season.
Gor Mahia Starting XI: Shaban Odhoji, Innocent Wafula, Godfrey Walusimbi, Haron Shakava, Charles Momanyi, Cercidy Okeyo, Boniface Omondi, Lawrence Juma, Ephrem Guikan, Bernard Ondiek, Francis Kahata.
Subs: Fredrick Odhiambo, Raphael Asudi, Wesley Onguso, Joash Onyango, Wellington Ochieng, Samuel Onyango, Kevin Omondi.
K-Sharks Starting XI: Brian Bwire (GK), Bolton Omwenga, Pascal Ogweno, Godfrey Shiveka, Michael Bodo, Patillah Omotto, Sven Yidah, Harrison Mwendwa, Duke Abuya, Shaphan Oyugi, Erick Kapaito
Subs: Gad Matthews (GK), Wycliffe Ochieng, Henry Juma, Ebrimma Sanneh, Francis Manoah, Sydney Lokale, Vincent Wasambo