Kenya’s defending champions Gor Mahia FC will on this Sunday face Zambian side NAPSA Stars in a CAF Confederation Cup match at Nyayo Stadium – Nairobi.
K’Ogalo having been bundled out from CAF Champions League and moved to the lower tier of the African Championship are looking for better performance against the Zambian National Pension Scheme Authority side.
NAPSA is currently in position 13 of Zambia Premier League with 16 games played, but are determined to upset the Kenyan reigning champions who are currently in the 6th position of Kenya Premier League with 8 games played so far.
The Zambian team has some of the former K’Ogalo key players that they will bank on during Valentine’s Day encounter (14th February 2021).
These include former defender David Owino “Calabar” and former custodian Shaban Odhoji. Another spotted Kenyan player is Jimmy Mukeya.
NAPSA Stars head coach Mohamed Fathi believes Gor Mahia will be under pressure to perform when they meet on Sunday.
“Gor Mahia are under pressure starting the first leg at home and we need to take advantage of the situation to get the result we need.” Fathi said during inteview.
The Zambian side will however be without their key striker Emmanuel Mayuka who has been out injured for about one month.
But Gor Mahia has set a target of reaching the group stage. With an almost full house and home, advantage will push for a convincing win to make it easy for them in the return leg – a week later.
Head coach Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto is upbeat, saying their main focus is to make sure they reach the competition’s group stage.
“Our focus is our process and always I said we keep the focus in our work to grow as a team, I don’t keep focusing in our results, I put the focus in our training, in our process because of that I don’t think we have any type pressure,” Vaz Pinto said.
“I know it is important to win because it not only for Gor Mahia but for the football of Kenya, we play to represent the country not to represent Gor Mahia and because of that it is important to win the match but my main focus is always in my work.” head coach added.
The kick-off time is 3.00 pm – Sunday 14th, 2021 and will be officiated by Uganda officials: Referee: William Oloya Assistant: Lee Okello Assistant: William Oloya Fourth official: Chelanget Ali Sabila