Champions Gor Mahia Tipped To Retain SportPesa Cup

NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenyan champions Gor Mahia FC have been tipped by local fans to retain the SportPesa Cup whose third edition kicked off at the National Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania on Tuesday.

Gor will be up against little known Mbao FC of Tanzania in the third quarterfinal at the venue on Wednesday before the mother of all battles pitting domestic archrivals AFC Leopards SC of Kenya against Simba SC of Tanzania.

“I was supporting Kariobangi Sharks FC ahead of the tournament but my allegiance changed to Gor with coming on board of former Harambee Stars captain, Dennis Oliech, who is expected to spice up the  competition,” Kaimosi College student Alison Ligatso underlined.

The 24-year old Computer Science undergraduate believes Gor have enough experience for the contest after lifting the trophy in the last two editions.

“Another advantage for K’Ogalo is that they have players like former Singida FC defender, Shafik Batambuze, who knows Tanzanian teams like the palm of his hand,” underscored Ligatso.

His sentiments have been echoed by Victor Achar,30, a bus driver from Kibera  who is of the opinion that Oliech will be key to Gor’s victory this year.

“All players  in the tournament fear Wuod Mary (Oliech), so to me the champions have already won  50 per cent of the battle even before stepping into the field,” he said.

The die hard K’Ogalo supporter also predicted that the 2019 finalists would be Gor versus Sharks, of which the former would carry the day with a 3-1 win.

Brian Omambia, a Nairobi based Marketing Executive, asserts that Gor have a better attacking force than any other club in the two nations challenge.

“This is what will give them an edge over other rivals,” noted Omambia.

Boniface Ilamoka says Kenya’s 17-time league  winners have the mental strength to carry the day which the clubs in the competition are yet to master.

“This event is for Gor lose.Gor are just in Tanzania as a formality as they are the side that I know will play nine time English Premier League champions Everton FC at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi later in the year,” Ilamoka emphasised.

Security personnel

James Njuguna, an Event Planner, explains Gor will triumph because they are used to winning ways despite the circumstances.

“Winning is contagious,it’s an habit, any side that will proceed with K’Ogalo to the final should brace for a tough show,” Njuguna warned.

Despite the massive support for the two-time SportPesa Cup winners,Moses Muhanji, 30, and Reuben Kibet, 27, had different views.

“I love the way Sharks  are playing.My money is on them to lift the cup, the fact that they have beaten Gor in the recent past  is an indication that any side is capable of winning the trophy this year,” stressed Muhanji who is a cab driver based in the city.

“I’m supporting  Bandari FC because they have massive ball control and possession in the midfield,their striking force not withstanding,” accentuated  Kibet who is a security personnel.

Kibet and Muhanji were among hundred of football fans who thronged Kibera DC Grounds in Nairobi on Tuesday  afternoon to keep abreast with matches on the SportPesa viewing and commentary truck giant screens that visited the location.

They cheered as Kenyan clubs, Bandari FC edged Singida FC of Tanzania 1-0 as Sharks soared over Tanzania league leaders, Yanga FC 3-2.

The crowd also had opportunity to win branded giveaways including jerseys, mugs, wrist bands, balls among others.

The truck will set base at Kawangware Grounds on Wednesday for the double header fixtures involving Gor and AFC against respective Tanzanian sides, Mbao and Simba.