After going down 1-2 to Rayon Sports in Caf Confederation Cup match at Kasarani on Sunday, Gor Mahia returns to league action against Sofapaka tomorrow (Wednesday 22) at Narok stadium.
At 65 points and playing their 26th league match, Gor Mahia are just five points away from the title (if other results go their way) while at 44 points after 27 matches, Sofapaka are clinging on to very slim hopes of snatching the title away from K’Ogalo.
This will be the first match the league leaders will be playing at the 5,000 seater stadium in Narok town but for their hosts, it won’t be the first time playing at the same venue – they have played quite a number of matches in Narok.
Sofapaka have been one of the toughest opponents for Gor Mahia in recent years and their first leg encounter in Machakos ended in a 3-3 draw with Gor Mahia grabbing an equalizer on the final minute of the game.
Tracing back to where it all began, the first league meeting between the two teams was on 4th April 2009 with striker George Odhiambo getting on the scoresheet in a 2-1 loss.
Since then, the two have had 19 league meetings with Gor Mahia dominating – eight wins against three for Sofapaka. Eight games have ended in draws.
On matters goals, Gor Mahia have scored a total of 20 goals and conceded 14 against Sofapaka. Gor top scorer in this fixture is George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo with three goals, the last coming last year as Gor beat Sofapaka 2-0 on their way to winning the league.
If Jacques Tuyisenge plays and scores in Narok, he will surpass Dan Sserunkuma’s 36 league goals and tie with Meddie Kagere. Tuyisenge is currently tied with Sserunkuma as 9th best all-time league scorer for the club.
If the two team’s recent form is anything to go by, then all odds are favouring Gor Mahia. The 16 times champions have won thrice, drawn once and lost just once in their last five league matches. Sofapaka on the other hand have been in a slump – managing just one win and draw in their last five league fixtures.
A win against Sofapaka followed by a win or a draw against AFC Leopards in the derby this coming weekend will guarantee Gor Mahia a record-extending 17th league title and put an end to the 2018 league title race with six games to go.
Gor Mahia have been training at Parklands grounds on natural surface for the last two days. The team will hit the road to Narok on Wednesday morning.
