Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia are out to revenge against USM Alger when they face off in their Caf Champions League return leg encounter at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani on Sunday, September 29, starting 4:15 pm.
But there are mixed feelings ahead of the do-or-die battle. Head coach Stephen Polack says injury has ruled out one of his crucial players but he still insists that his side will be going for nothing less than a win.
“It is going to be a hard game but I believe in my players that come 6 pm, by God’s grace we will be in Caf Champions League group stages.
“We have a few injuries, for instance, Samuel Onyango is sick so he cannot play. That actually means that we have 15 players instead of 16, but all in all, football is about 11 players so we believe we can still get a good performance,” he said.
Fans and members of the club have a lot of expectations from the match, and this can be seen from a gesture shown by a caucus of registered members who contributed sh82,000 to the players ahead of the match.
“The playing unit has something to smile about after Gor Mahia FC registered members handed them a token of 82,000 shillings ahead of tomorrow’s (Sunday’s) CAF champions league return leg match against USM Alger.
“The money was handed over to captain Kenneth Muguna in the presence of other players by the group’s appointed treasurer Mr. George Onyango alias Joj Jaseme after the team’s training session at the Kasarani Stadium,” a statement on the club’s official website confirmed.
Gor Mahia lost 4-1 in their first meeting, meaning they need a win of at least 3-0 in order to book a slot in the tournament’s next stage.