Oktay Challenges Gor To Make Home Advantage Count Against Hussein Dey

23rd February 2019 - by Mutwiri Mutuota

SPL champions with a chance to make a huge step towards qualifying for the CAF Confed Cup quarters with victory over visiting Algerian side on Sunday

Gor Mahia FC head coach, Hassan Oktay, applauds following their Mashemeji Derby victory over AFC Leopards at the MIS, Kasarani earlier this month. PHOTO/SPN

SUMMARY

After starting their group stage engagements on fire with a 4-2 victory over Zamalek FC, Gor surrendered control of the group when they went down 1-2 to Petro Atletico in Luanda as Sunday's Algerian visitors held the Egyptian giants to a 1-1 draw in Cairo to go top on four points after two rounds
The SPL champions and record 17-time league winners missed the window to take charge of the domestic competition midweek when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Western Stima FC perhaps with the Hussein Dey assignment weighing on their minds
Five-time African champions, Zamalek are at home to Atletico in the other Pool D clash where a loss will all but eliminate them from the competition

NAIROBI, Kenya- SportPesa Premier League (SPL) winners Gor Mahia FC have the opportunity to take a huge step towards making the 2018/19 CAF Confederations Cup with victory over Pool D leaders, NA Hussein Dey at the MISC, Kasarani Stadium on Sunday.

After starting their group stage engagements on fire with a 4-2 victory over Zamalek FC, Gor surrendered control of the group when they went down 1-2 to Petro Atletico in Luanda as Sunday's Algerian visitors held the Egyptian giants to a 1-1 draw in Cairo to go top on four points after two rounds.

Speaking on the eve of the contest on Saturday, Gor head coach, Hassan Oktay, challenged his side to make home advantage count when they play Hussein Dey as he called on the Green Army supporters to turn out in their numbers to give his team the push they need to secure a crucial victory in their quest to make the last eight of the second-tier continental club competition for the first time in their glittering history.

“We have to take the home advantage. We are going to play one of the best teams and it is going to be a tough game. My expectation is that the fans will come out in large numbers from all over Kenya and support the boys,” the Cypriot born Turkish boss underlined.

With reports record Kenyan goal scorer, Dennis Oliech, who has had a resounding impact since returning to football with the club with Gor had skipped training over salary issue, Oktay noted his only concern was the unavailability of a key defender.

Positive results

“We only have one injury concern. Joash was injured in midweek against Western Stima and will not be available on Sunday. The rest of the squad is, however, up to the task, and I'm confident that we will get positive results,” the head coach whose team is second in the pool on goal difference a point adrift of the visitors charged.

The SPL champions and record 17-time league winners missed the window to take charge of the domestic competition midweek when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Western Stima FC perhaps with the Hussein Dey assignment weighing on their minds.

They had a feel of the Kasarani pitch on Saturday morning with the Algerians also getting their chance to train on the match venue as well.

Gor missed qualification to the Confed Cup quarters last season by only a point after finishing third to another Algerian side, USM Alger (11) and Rayon Sport (nine) of Rwanda.

Five-time African champions, Zamalek are at home to Atletico in the other Pool D clash where a loss will all but eliminate them from the competition.