Kenya: Gor Mahia Wary of Karuturi FC

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Francis Wadegu And Dun Okinyo

10 March 2011

After failing to break the Kenya Premier League jinx of winning the opening match for the fourth year running, Gor Mahia is now faced with the trip to Naivasha this weekend to meet Karuturi Sports at a venue where they have never scored in the last three years. They are also yet to collected any maximum points from the flowermen. “It has been a difficult place to go for any team and Gor Mahia has been no exception. But I think the players will only be focused on taking the three points as we look to improve our standings on the league table,” said club offical Ronald Ngala.

Last year, Gor ended their overall poor run against Karuturi, thanks to goal from Kevin Omondi but statistics never lie and only five goals have been scored in their six meetings. And having already lost their first match which ended prematurely, it will be a situation of a must-win-match in Naivasha if K’Ogallo are to convince their success thirsty fans that they can go one better than last season and end the 16-year wait for league title. “We have always not delivered results on our second match of the season and the fact that we did it against Ulinzi shows we are on the right track,” said Ngala. Karuturi prodigal coach Nandwa, however, played down the jinx issues, saying teams with good players like Gor can win anywhere.”Playing at home will give us a slight advantage because we know the pitch well but past results are not going to make us change our approach,” he said. The trip to Naivasha will be used to gauge Gor strength with the season just starting .

Meanwhile, Rangers FC coach David Ouma has called for an immediate response from his players when they face newly promoted Congo United on Saturday after losing to AFC Leopards last weekend.

Ouma was left stunned as his team lost 3-1 at City Stadium in a match they started favourites after their opening 3-0 drubbing of Gor Mahia. “I was very disappointed because there is little you can say when you lose by that margin. We made many mistakes and Leopards played very well. We simply weren’t in the game,” he said.”Against Congo we need to interpret the game better and improve on our performance. I expect victory,” he said.

Ouma knows his team has a lot of work to do if they are to beat the Coast-based side-making their debut in the league. Ouma said the newly signed youthful players are slowly shaping up in the team and adapting to the club’s tactics.” I still need to know my new players and they have to adapt to my tactics,” Ouma said.

Rivals Congo were also on the loosing end over the weekend when they went down to leaders Tusker FC at Mbaraki Sports Club.Amon Mwamburi had put Congo ahead in the match before George Midenyo’s brace saw the home side loss 2-1.

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